Dorchester Co. Public Schools seeks public input in superintendent search

April 3, 2024

Han Cechini,

DORCHESTER COUNTY, Md. – Dorchester County Public Schools (DCPS) is searching for its next superintendent. District leaders say they can’t do it without hearing from the public.

“We’re very much about collective voice and collective community voice,” said Chris Wheedleton of the Dorchester County Board of Education.

DCPS is teaming up with HYA Associates to help find the next district leader. HYA will aid in recruiting, vetting, and recommending qualified candidates for comprehensive and inclusive search.

And, as part of that search, DCPS is also turning to the public, and asking for their feedback in a community survey. Wheedleton says the goal is to get feedback from the community on what kind of challenges the district is currently facing, and may face in the future, and what kind of person would be qualified to take the helm.

The district also plans to hold a series of community visioning meetings to aid in the search.

“We may hear a lot of similar themes, and we may hear about things that we hadn’t thought of,” Wheedleton said. “That’s an intentional part of this process, to be driven by the feedback.”

School leaders say they don’t just want to hear from parents.

“This is for everybody, including the students. We want their voice and input, as well,” said Wheedleton. “We’re reaching out to every community organization that we can to encourage them and to encourage their members within their networks to engage in the process.”

The community visioning sessions will take place on the following dates: