Savannah-Chatham County Public School System

 2023 Superintendent Search

With the retirement of longstanding Superintendent Dr. Ann Levett effective June 30, 2023, the Board of Public Education for the City of Savannah and County of Chatham is undergoing a search for the next Superintendent of Schools.  

The Board seeks to utilize the professional services of a qualified firm to assist in identifying and interviewing potential candidates. While the Board remains the deciding body in the determination of who the next Superintendent will be, 
community engagement and feedback are vital components in the process.  This website will serve as an informational tool for all stakeholders providing details on the search process, timelines, feedback opportunities, and information regarding in-person listening sessions.

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SURVEY RESULTS
The Board of Education conducted a survey to gather feedback from the community regarding the characteristics desired in a superintendent.   The survey closed at 12:00 midnight on Friday, March 24, 2023.  The results are available here.

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH TIMELINE
The Board of Public Education presents this timeline for the search process.  The timeline is subject to change.

​BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION SEEKS SUPERINTENDENT: Application Deadline – April 23, 2023
The Board seeks an innovative leader with a demonstrated ability to carry out the educational and administrative goals of the District along with meeting the strategic expectations of
the Board. Successful candidates will illustrate a commitment for collaboration with the Board, parents, staff, and the community and will be visible throughout the schools and community.
 
Application/Selection Procedure/Salary/Professional License - Individuals who wish to be considered for this position will complete an online BWP Applicant Data Form at: www.bwpassociates.com  
 
An application file must include a letter indicating reasons for interest for the position, a current resume, and three letters of reference.  These materials must be sent electronically with the online Applicant Data Form.  Additional information may be required.  Salary for the successful candidate will be nationally competitive.  The final salary and benefits for the successful candidate will be negotiated and determined based upon experience, qualifications, and meeting Board criteria.
 
Applicants are required to hold or provide evidence of eligibility for a Georgia Superintendent License.  See additional information about requirements for licensure from the Georgia Department of Education at www.gadoe.org.   Letters of application and other required materials must be received by BWP & Associates no later than April 23, 2023. 
 
For additional information, contact BWP search consultants by email:
Dr. Kevin Castner       kccastner@yahoo.com
Dr. Percy Mack           pmack14@bellsouth.net
Dr. Anne Noland        mhnoland@comcast.net
 
By phone: 434-531-8171
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE ANNOUNCEMENT SEEKING CANDIDATES 


SPECIAL CALLED BOARD MEETING:  MARCH 23 AT 9:00 a.m.

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education met in a Special Called Meeting for the purpose of approving a contract with a firm to conduct a search for the school district's next Superintendent of Schools.

The SCCPSS Purchasing Department received three proposals in response to RFP #23-45. The purpose of the solicitation was to select a qualified firm that is fully licensed with experience in consultant services to conduct an executive search for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The selected firm shall conduct a national executive search.

Those submitting proposals were McPherson and Jacobson, LLC (Omaha, NE); BWP & Associates (Libertyville, Illinois); and Hazard, Young, Attea, & Associates (Schaumburg, Illinois). The proposals were evaluated based on company experience and qualifications, functionality and technical approach, references, and fees.

The Board approved the award of RFP #23-45, Executive Search Consultant Services for the Position of Superintendent of Schools, to the firm of BWP & Associates in the estimated amount of $55,920.​​



PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As part of the search process district staff, students, parents and community members will be asked to share the skills, qualifications and characteristics they most desire in our next leader.  

COMMUNITY SURVEY:  A public community survey was deployed in English and in Spanish.  The information received will serve as a vital component for informing the Board as they seek to identify top candidates for the position.  The survey closed at 12:00 midnight on Friday, March 24, 2023.  Results will be made available to the public as soon as possible. 

Superintendent Search Community Survey

FEEDBACK MEETINGS:  The Board contracted with McMillan & Associates to facilitate and gather feedback through community forums, focus groups and engagement with SCCPSS staff.   A schedule of those meetings will be posted to this website, SCCPSS social media, and through area media outlets.   All sessions are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, March 15: Jenkins High Auditorium, 1800 East Derenne Avenue​
Wednesday, March 22: Beach High Auditorium, 3001 Hopkins Street 
Monday, March 27: Islands High Auditorium, 170 Whitemarsh Island Road
Tuesday, March 28:  West Chatham Middle School, 800 Pine Barren Road, Pooler
Wednesday, March 29:  Southwest Middle School , ​6030 Ogeechee Rd.

Please check this website and our social  media channels for updates on additional sessions.  

SEARCH PROCESS:  
The Board of Public Education for the City of Savannah and the County of Chatham will utilize the professional services of a search firm to advertise, recruit, and facilitate the search process.  During the month February 2023, the school system advertised a solicitation for search firm candidates through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process.  The Board will select the most qualified firm based on the recommendation of the review committee and the requirements of Board policy for the award of contract.  The firm will be provided information from the community feedback sessions to assist in identifying the top candidates.

Special Called Meeting - Superintendent Search Update - May 1, 2023
At a Special Called Meeting of the Board on May 1, 2023, an update on the Superintendent Search was presented to the Board.  Information was shared by BWP​​ & Associates, as well as ​​McMillan & Associates.  Follow the links below to view their presentations.

BWP & Associates:
​​http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CRBKZF53F069

MCMillan & Associates:
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CRBLFM565D43

Special Called Meetings - May 8 & 9, 2023

The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education will hold a Special Called Board Meeting on Monday, May 8 and Tuesday, May 9 for the purpose of moving into Executive Session. 

BWP & Associates, an independent search firm, was selected to assist the Board in the Superintendent search process and completed a month long application phase that resulted in the receipt of 49 completed applications.  During an announced meeting of the Board that took place on May 1, 2023, application materials were reviewed to narrow the field of candidates for upcoming in-person interviews. 

Over the coming weeks, the Board will meet with invited candidates and will conduct interviews in Executive Session.  As these meetings pertain to personnel matters, they will be closed to the public.  Two meetings will be held during the week of May 8, 2023, on the schedule listed below. 

The meetings will take place at the Hyatt Regency, 2 West Bay Street, Savannah.   The Board will open the meeting in public session before moving into closed executive matters. 

Special Called Meetings - May 22, 24, & 25, 2023

BOARD OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCES SPECIAL CALLED MEETINGS DURING THE WEEK OF MAY 22, 2023

The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education will hold a Special Called Board Meeting on Monday, May 22, Wednesday, May 24, and Thursday, May 25, 2023 for the purpose of moving into Executive Session. 

The Board continues the Superintendent search process with candidate interviews during the week of May 22, 2023.  As these meetings pertain to personnel matters, they will be closed to the public.  The meetings will take place between SCCPSS Graduation Ceremonies at the EnMarket Arena.  The Board will open the meeting in public session before moving into closed executive matters. 

There are no other matters included on the Special Called meeting agendas and the Board does not intend to take any further action after moving into Executive Session.  The meetings will be closed when the Executive Session is adjourned.

BWP & Associates, an independent search firm, was selected to assist the Board with the Superintendent search process and completed a month long application phase that resulted in the receipt of 49 completed applications. 

RECAP – SPECIAL CALLED MEETINGS:

WHAT: Board of Public Education Special Called Meeting

WHEN:  Monday, May 22 at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.  /  Wednesday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.   

Thursday, May 25 at 10:30am​​

WHERE: EnMarket Arena, 620 Stiles Ave., Savannah 31415 – Main Entrance Area (Foyer)​


School Board to Announce Finalist for Next Superintendent of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System

With the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Dr. Ann Levett, the Board of Education contracted with BWP & Associates to conduct a nationwide search for potential candidates for the job.  Close to sixty applicants showed interest in the position that resulted in forty-nine completed applications.

On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, the Board will hold a press conference to announce the finalist for Superintendent of Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools.

This announcement follows the completion of two rounds of interviews over the past month with interested parties. Once the finalist is announced, in no sooner than 14 days the School Board shall convene to vote in a public meeting on the Superintendent selection. The meeting date will be announced and posted to the school district's website at SCCPSS.com.

WHAT:  Press Conference to Announce Finalist for Superintendent of Schools

WHEN:  Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – 12:00pm

WHERE:  Board of Education Central Office, 208 Bull Street, Savannah
                        (Press Conference will take place on the front steps.)​

School Board Announces Dr. Denise Watts as Finalist for Next Superintendent of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System

(Savannah, GA – May 31, 2023) The  Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education is pleased to announce Dr. Denise Watts as the sole finalist for the role of Superintendent.  Dr. Watts has a track record of improving the quality of education for all students and was unanimously identified as the sole finalist by the School Board after a national search that resulted in 49 completed applications and multiple interviews. The Board is confident that Dr. Watts is the right leader to build upon and accelerate the progress made under retiring Superintendent Dr. Ann Levett.  The Board will meet formally to discuss the hiring of Dr. Watts at a Board meeting later in June.  The meeting date will be announced and posted online at the District's website at www.sccpss.com

Dr. Watts has been an exemplary and successful leader from the beginning of her career. As a principal in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, she led a high performing school to meaningful growth in its already high-achieving academic performance and was later named the 2008 National Association of Secondary School Principals North Carolina Principal of the Year for her efforts. She was then strategically staffed to lead turnaround efforts at one of the lowest performing schools in the state, which she ultimately led to becoming one of the most improved. After moving into district leadership positions, she worked with multiple schools and forged community partnerships to significantly improve academic performance and graduation rates while also reducing discipline, improving culture, and enhancing efforts to recruit, develop and retain teachers and leaders.

Dr. Watts was then recruited to the University of Virginia, Partnership for Leaders in Education where, as Chief of District Support, she worked with school districts across the nation to design and execute strategies for comprehensive school and system-wide improvements. This experience provided invaluable insight into data analysis, strategic planning, and execution of initiatives that truly impact learning and culture across a wide range of schools and districts.

The Houston Independent School District (194,000 students; 247 schools) recognized Dr. Watts' effectiveness by tapping her to serve as its Chief of Schools, a challenge she accepted even though the State of Texas had already begun proceedings to initiate a takeover of the school system. Within her first year she helped reduce the number of low-rated schools from 48 in 2021 to 11 in 2022 and implemented systems and conditions that fostered improvements across all schools in the district.

Dr. Watts has consistently used a data-driven approach to increase student achievement while also focusing on building effective relationships with students, staff, peers, and the community. Her passion for ensuring that all students are successful and can lead choice-filled lives, regardless of their circumstances, while also ensuring that teachers and staff have the support they need, aligns with the School Board's vision to ensure that all students are prepared to be successful and productive citizens and mission to ignite and foster lifelong learning at the highest levels for all. We look forward to Dr. Watts joining us this summer and are confident that the future is bright for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.

​Information related to the selected candidate will be made available pursuant to the requirements of the Georgia Open Records Act should they be requested. In no sooner than 14 days the School Board shall convene to vote in a public meeting on the superintendent selection. The meeting date will be announced and posted to the school district's website at www.sccpss.com.

 resized DENISE WATTS.jpg

​ Dr. Denise Watts Bio


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