Update from Odyssey's Head of School Search Committee

Dear Odyssey Community,

The Search Committee is happy to report that the search for our next Head of School is well underway. The Odyssey School’s reputation for transforming the lives of students with learning differences in a beautiful bucolic setting makes it very attractive to a highly qualified and diverse group of potential candidates.

Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey. Over 125 people responded, and your confidential feedback was thoughtful, inspiring, and reflected the diverse perspectives that characterize The Odyssey School community.

As many of you are aware, our search consultants, Carney Sandoe & Associates (Chris Boyle and Kim Peeples) were on campus two weeks ago. During that time, they met with more than 150 community members including faculty, staff, students, current and former parents, alumni, friends, donors and trustees.

Each participant was asked to explore a variation of the same three question threads:

 • What do you value and appreciate about The Odyssey School?

• What is the work ahead for the next Head of School?

• What qualities, skills, and experiences should the next Head of School have to accomplish that work?

The visit concluded with a meeting involving the Board of Trustees and Search Committee in which Chris and Kim reported on their meetings and what they learned during conversations with key constituents of the school. From these meetings and the survey, the search consultants produced the Head of School Position Description posted on our website:

https://www.carneysandoe.com/career/odyssey-school/

A lot of work has gone into preparing for the launch of the search. The position description is now posted and advertised nationally.  It is on the CS & A social media website, our website, NAIS, Heads Network, and other outlets. We expect online applications to start immediately. While it is still too early to conclude, it appears there is already interest in The Odyssey School. The search consultants from CS & A will use November and December to recruit, interview, and vet candidates. The Search Committee will then review the candidate material with the search consultants in early December and select a group of candidates with whom to have initial conversations (online or in person as practical) beginning in January.

The Search Committee, in consultation with the search consultants, will then select the finalists who will be asked to come to campus and meet with a number of key constituencies in January. After fully vetting all the feedback, the search committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for a new Head of School.

Our hope and intention is to adhere to the timeline as outlined above. This is a new process for most of us, and while it may feel a bit unsettling, I assure you the Search Committee is listening to your feedback, takes this responsibility very seriously, and is grounded in the values and culture of The Odyssey School. Please note that the Search Committee’s work, interviews, and interactions with potential candidates are done on a confidential basis to protect the candidates. We ask you to help us support and honor this confidentiality.

Thank you,
Terri Smith
Chair of the Search Committee

Search Committee Members:

  • Dr. Yael Allen
  • Crawford Hubbard
  • Dr. Janice Lepore
  • Kevin McAllister
  • Corey Paige
  • Chris Pope
  • Suzy Riedel
  • Cheryl Bernard Smith
  • Michael Weinfeld