Coming soon: The search for a new Fairview schools superintendent
FAIRVIEW ― The search for a new Fairview schools superintendent is about to begin.
The Fairview School Board has hired Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5 to lead the search for a successor to Erik Kincade, who took early retirement on Oct. 31 following private board discussions of personnel issues concerning him. Kincade's contract with the district was through June 2025.
Larry Kessler is leading the district until the board names a new superintendent. Kessler preceded Kincade as Fairview schools superintendent, retiring in 2009.
Fairview School Board considered five firms, including the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and private firms, before settling on IU5 to lead the superintendent search.
"We chose the IU5 based on the feedback of solid partnership with our administration and a strong history of conducting successful searches in our area," Fairview School Board President Jim Lyons said. "We intend to cast a wide net in our search to find the best superintendent to move us forward. We feel confident that working with IU5 will help us achieve this goal."
The job is expected to be advertised statewide within two weeks. The advertisements typically draw candidates from New York, Ohio and other neighboring states as well as Pennsylvania, said IU5 Executive Director Brad Whitman.
The job also can be posted beyond Pennsylvania at the School Board's direction.
Cost for the search is $3,500, the price charged by IU5 for small and medium-sized school districts. The Fairview School District has three schools and about 1,900 students, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The timeline for applications, interviews and hiring is yet to be determined, Lyons said, "but we are working with a sense of urgency, with an equal attention to detail."
The search will be tailored to the school district and its needs, said Brad Whitman, executive director of IU5.
"We know the schools and communities we serve," Whitman said. "Each one of our searches is unique to the district because each district and community is different."
The Fairview community will be involved in the search process, most likely through a survey to help determine the qualifications and qualities wanted in a new superintendent, Whitman said.
"We are in the very early stages of the search and are still ironing out the details," Whitman said.
Intermediate Units are education service agencies created by the state legislature to provide training and other services to public school districts in Pennsylvania. IU 5, based in Edinboro, serves schools in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties.
The Intermediate Unit recently led the searches for new Millcreek and Girard school superintendents. Both districts hired from within.
Millcreek in July named John Cavanagh, its director of K-12 education, as its new superintendent. Girard hired David Koma, previously its middle school principal, as superintendent on Aug 1.
The IU is currently leading the search for a new Penncrest superintendent for Cambridge Springs, Saegertown and Maplewood schools. Timothy Glasspool resigned as district superintendent on Sept. 29.
In Fairview, Kessler will serve as superintendent until June 30 or until a new superintendent is hired. His term can be extended if necessary.
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Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Wanted: Fairview schools superintendent. Job will be advertised soon.
