Prosper ISD families, teachers and students have told the district's board what they want in the next superintendent, and the answer runs to seven pages: someone highly visible, new to the district, fluent in Texas school finance, and thick-skinned enough to manage a system growing faster than its buildings.
The findings come from an executive summary dated July 15 and prepared by Impact Education Specialists, the firm running the district's search. Consultants Jennifer Settle, Kevin Worthy and Doug Williams held two days of input sessions in Prosper with central office staff, campus administrators, faculty and staff, support groups, student advisory groups, and civic and town members, and surveyed stakeholders separately.
Each session asked three questions: what the district does well, what could be improved, and what the next superintendent should be like. The report goes to the Board of Trustees as it begins interviewing candidates for the vacant post.
The profile
The summary describes an ideal candidate who "leads from the front" and becomes a regular presence on campuses rather than staying in the central office, attending academic, athletic, fine arts and special education events alike. Respondents favored an outside hire with "fresh eyes" and a track record running a large, fast-growing Texas district, backed by substantial classroom teaching experience.
They also want a working command of school finance. The report calls for a leader who can navigate tight budgets, "eliminate administrative waste," and redirect money to classrooms, while explaining the reasoning behind hard decisions.
Alongside that, respondents asked for humility and collaboration, a leader who listens to veteran staff and gathers feedback before major policy shifts, but who has, in the report's words, the "thick skin" to handle social media scrutiny and stand behind teachers.
What the district is doing right
Participants praised the district's teachers most of all, citing their commitment and the professional autonomy they are given. Facilities drew consistent compliments, including modern campuses, classroom technology and a standalone district police department that respondents said provides reassurance amid rapid growth.
The report also credits the range of programs available, from 6A athletics and fine arts to Career and Technical Education pathways for students not bound for college, and singles out early learning initiatives such as the Suzuki strings program, Hope Squad and speech pathology services.
Running through the responses is pride in what the summary calls a "small town" feel the district has kept despite explosive population growth, and a reputation the report describes as a "brand name" in North Texas.
Where they want change
Substitute teachers drew the sharpest criticism. Stakeholders faulted the quality of outsourced substitutes and called for tighter vetting so student learning is not interrupted.
