October 22, 2019

Dear Lab Community,

 

Thank you to the Lab community for its gracious welcome to the two Head of School finalist candidates last week. We were not surprised to hear from both individuals about how warmly they were greeted during their school tours and how impressed they were with what they saw. The visits confirmed for them that Lab is an extraordinary place. We particularly appreciate those of you who took the time out of your own schedules to meet each candidate, learn more about them, and provide feedback to us.

 

We wanted to let you know that the Search Committee has met to discuss the options for the next Head of School and has reached a unanimous recommendation. This recommendation comes after thirteen months of working together as a Search Committee. The Committee, which is composed of Board members, current parents, faculty, and administrative staff, has spent countless hours reviewing comprehensive personal statements from many strong candidates, met with the search consultants numerous times, interviewed semi-finalist and finalist candidates, reference checked and independently researched each candidate, and considered feedback from those who met the finalist candidates at Lab. The Committee kept front of mind the key criteria needed to lead our school, as established early in the process and set forth in the opportunities statement available to all applicants. We are proud to say that in reaching its unanimous recommendation the Committee worked collegially, thoughtfully, and deliberately. 

 

The Committee’s recommendation will go forward to the Board of Trustees — which has responsibility for selecting Lab’s next head — and will be considered by the Board at its upcoming meeting on Thursday, October 24. Immediately following the Board decision, the selected candidate will be notified and provided time to respond and review the employment package. Thus, it may be a week or so before an announcement can be made; you will be informed at the earliest possible moment.

 

The Committee has been mindful that the search process and the anticipation of a transition to a new head of school create a sense of uncertainty and unsettledness for many in the Lab community. Please know that both the Search Committee and the Board have a keen interest in installing a head who has shown the ability to be a successful leader for Lab and in ensuring that Lab continues to thrive as a top-quality, leading-edge educational institution for students with learning differences in the 21 ^st century. 

 

Best Regards,

John Jonas and Linda Fisher

Co-chairs, Search Committee