Head of School Search

In May 2019, Head of School Nishant N. Mehta announced his intention to step down as head of The Children’s School at the end of the 2019-20 school year following seven years of service. The Search Committee engaged a consulting team from RG175 to spearhead the search for a new head of school, and on Dec. 11, Board Chair Sonya Halpern announced TCS’s next head of school will be Roslyn Benjamin. 

Timeline

• May 2, 2019: Nishant Mehta and Board Chair Fran Gary announce news of his departure in June 2020
• May 2019: TCS Board selects Resource Group 175 (RG175) as the firm to help lead the search for our next Head of School
• July 25, 2019: Search Committee is announced
• Aug. 26 – 27, 2019: Search consultants Tony Featherston and Coreen Hester on campus to meet with parents, faculty and administration
• Oct. 18, 2019: Deadline for candidate applications
• Nov. 5, 2019: Three finalists announced
• Nov. 11-12, 2019: Candidate #1 visit
• Nov. 14-15, 2019: Candidate #2 visit
• Nov. 18-19, 2019: Candidate #3 visit
• Dec. 11, 2019: Roslyn Benjamin announced as next head of school

Announcement

On Dec. 11, 2019, Board Chair Sonya Halpern announced that Roslyn Benjamin is The Children’s School’s next head of school. Her tenure will begin on July 1, 2020. Read Sonya’s announcement here.

Finalists

We are delighted to welcome the three head of school finalists to The Children’s School’s campus beginning on Nov. 11. We truly cannot wait for our community to meet each one.

Their time on campus is an opportunity for our community to learn more about each of the finalists and, just as important, for each finalist to learn more about us.

Below are some key reminders regarding the final phase of the head of school search process:

• Look out for an email twenty-four hours before each candidate arrives on campus with their bio. Their candidacy remains confidential until that time. This common practice is done out of respect for the finalists, all of whom are employed and must notify their respective constituencies.
• Remember that we are interviewing the candidates AND the candidates are interviewing us.
• During open meetings, candidates will begin with a brief presentation and then welcome questions. They will also question us.
• We encourage you to meet as many candidates as possible. Even if you can only meet one, that counts!
• Refrain from comparing one candidate to another. Instead, consider the merits of each individual.
• Complete feedback, via an online survey, as soon as possible after meeting with each candidate so that your impression of them remains fresh in your mind. It is important that we hear your voice and have your input in this process. The survey link will be included with the email announcing each candidate and will close 24 hours after the candidate leaves.
• Remember that the board makes the final decision and seeks to incorporate feedback from our community during our decision making.
• Enjoy the process and keep an open mind!

Confirmed Schedule
Finalist #1 on campus 11/11 and 11/12
Finalist #2 on campus 11/14 and 11/15
Finalist #3 on campus 11/18 and 11/19

Position Statement

Click here to see the TCS Head of School position statement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the role of the Search Committee?

It is the responsibility of the Board to hire, support, and evaluate its sole employee, the Head of School. To this end, the Board of Trustees has appointed a Head of School Search Committee. The Search Committee, along with the search consultant firm RG175, is tasked with directing the new Head of School search process from start to finish. The Committee will coordinate input from TCS’s various constituencies, work with the search consultant to develop the detailed job/position description, and review the first round of candidates. They will then organize and conduct interviews with the semifinal and final candidates. At the end of the process, the Search Committee will present one candidate as a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. The final decision rests with the Board of Trustees. During the entire process, the Search Committee and the Board will keep the TCS community informed and engaged while ensuring and respecting the confidentiality of the recruitment process.

Q: What is the role of TCS’s faculty, staff, and administration in the process?

Faculty, staff and administration will be actively engaged throughout the search by taking the time to meet candidates when they visit the school, welcoming visitors into their classrooms, and providing other means of input as requested by the Search Committee.

Q: How can I be involved in the search? How can I give my input?

Community input in this process is very important. The Search Committee will vet the initial pool of candidates and identify a group of semi-finalists who will be interviewed in a confidential setting. The need to maintain confidentiality primarily helps to ensure that expressing interest in this position will not compromise those potential candidates who have not yet informed their current schools of their possible interest in a career move. The finalists (usually 3-4 individuals) will be invited to campus and have an opportunity to meet with members of the TCS community through a variety of venues and forums.

Q: Will the Head of School search impact my child’s experience at TCS?

There is only one Head of School at a time, and Nishant continues to lead the school with the same heart and passion as he has over the past six years. Our faculty, staff and administrators are committed to our primary goal, which is to provide your child with an outstanding educational experience and to fulfill our mission: to develop collaborative, creative, and brave/confident learners with the strength of voice to follow their hearts and make a difference.

Q: When can I meet the finalists?

Finalists names and bios will be released 24 hours before their arrival. Their candidacy remains confidential until that time. This common practice is done out of respect for the finalists, all of whom are employed and must notify their respective constituencies.

Here are the times when you can meet each finalist:

Finalist #1 on campus 11/11 and 11/12
Faculty/Staff Open Meeting: Monday, November 11 from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Parent Open Meeting: Monday, November 11, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Parent Open Meeting: Tuesday, November 12 from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Finalist #2 on campus 11/14 and 11/15
Faculty/Staff Open Meeting: Thursday, November 14 from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Parent Open Meeting: Thursday, November 14 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Parent Open Meeting: Friday, November 15 from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Finalist #3 on campus 11/18 and 11/19
Faculty/Staff Open Meeting: Monday, November 18 from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Parent Open Meeting: Monday, November 18 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Parent Open Meeting: Tuesday, November 19 from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Q: How long will the Head of School (HOS) search last? When do you expect to hire the next HOS?

A head of school search takes between 6-12 months. Our goal is to select a new head of school before the end of this calendar year, with the new Head to start on July 1, 2020.

Q: How will the school community be kept informed about the search?

Updates regarding the search will be shared through periodic emails to the community when particular milestones have been reached. Updates will also be made to this webpage.

Q: Who will make the final hiring decision?

The Board of Trustees is responsible for hiring TCS’s Head of School. During the search process, the Board – through the Search Committee – will seek input from the entire community, but the final hiring decision will be made by the Board.