Is the Board of Education conducting the superintendent search on its own? 

The RCS Board of Education is working with Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent Lauren J Gemmill to conduct the search for the next superintendent of schools.

What is a confidential superintendent search? 

A confidential superintendent search means that all applicants for the position of superintendent of schools will apply directly to BOCES. BOCES and the Board of Education will work together to identify, from the entire applicant pool, who meets the criteria and those candidates who will be interviewed. The board will see ALL applications, but they will first be submitted to BOCES.

Why is a confidential search necessary? 

This process has greater success in attracting sitting superintendents and other education professionals who prefer their candidacy for the Ravena Coeymans Selkirk position not be made public. Without confidentiality, there is a very limited candidate pool. Conducting a confidential search increases the likelihood that the most qualified candidates will apply for the position.

Are there opportunities for public input?

Yes! Capital Region BOCES has opened an online community survey (found here) open from Jan. 29, 2025 - Feb. 26, 2025. In the survey, community members are asked to give input on the following questions:

• What are the strengths of the Ravena Coeymans Selkirk Central School District?

• What needs to be improved? 

• What characteristics and personal attributes should the new superintendent have? 

• What will the new superintendent need to work on first? 

• Do you have any additional thoughts or comments? 

A number of focus groups will also be held to collect feedback from members of the RCS school community. All input given by the community will be taken into consideration by members of the Board of Education throughout their interviewing and vetting process.

What’s next? 

Interested candidates will be invited to apply beginning in March. The application materials will be due to BOCES by April 7, 2025. After that date, the district superintendent and Board of Education begin the interview process. Selected applicants will complete at least two rounds of interviews with the board. 

Once a candidate is chosen, they will be vetted through a process led by the BOCES team before a formal offer is made. The board expects that the new superintendent will be appointed in July 2025.