New Trier District 203 Superintendent Search

Dr. Paul Sally, New Trier’s Superintendent since 2017, has announced plans to retire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, capping a successful 30-year career at New Trier. The Board of Education has hired the search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) to help lead the recruitment, engagement, and interview process for his successor. This web page includes the steps involved in the search, including a proposed timeline and community engagement efforts.

More than 1,000 community members help develop Leadership Profile for the next superintendent

Thank you to the more than 1,000 community members, parents, students, staff, and alumni who participated in New Trier’s online survey and focus groups to help determine the qualities and attributes District 203 seeks in its next leader.

The search firm HYA incorporated this input into a Leadership Profile that the Board of Education will use to recruit and develop interview questions for potential candidates. You can access this profile below.

Leadership Profile

Proposed Timeline

MILESTONE	DATE
Recruiting and advertising	July 1 to September 30
Focus Groups and Forums	August 26 - September 6
Online Survey	August 26 - September 6
District Strengths, Challenges, and Leadership Profile Report Presentation	September 16
HYA Screening	September 1 - 30
Presentation of Slate and Interview Workshop	October 7
First Round Interviews	October 16-17
Finalist Interviews (scope and process TBD)	October 28 – November 1
Board Deliberations	November 7
Board Selects Superintendent	November 18
Superintendent Assumes Responsibility	July 1,2025

New Trier Parents" Association
New Trier Fine Arts Association
New Trier Booster Club
Parents of Students with IEPs and/or 504
Recent Alumni
Open Forums (in person and online)

Community

Sender district superintendents
Community Leaders (villages, business, service, and faith leaders)
New Trier Educational Foundation
Former Board Members, Caucus Members
Open Forums (in person and online)

Engagement: Survey

HYA Collaborates with Board Liaisons to finalize online community survey
Groups for disaggregated analysis and reporting

- Students
- Certified Staff
- Support Staff
- Parents of Current Students
- Parents of Future NTHS Students
- Community Members without students in NTHS or Sender Districts/Schools
- Alumni
Executive Summary presented at the September 16 Board Meeting with full written report to follow:
- Strengths of the District
- Challenges of the District
- Leadership Profile

Draft of Desired Qualifications/Attributes

Demonstrated successful leadership in a high achieving, highly engaged public school district
An earned doctorate
Demonstrated understanding of the high school teaching experience
An exceptional communicator with outstanding oral and written communication skills, an authentic and active listener, inspiring speaker, and successful experience with media communication
The proven ability to genuinely engage with the full array of stakeholders as an immersive presence in the schools and community
The ability to manage conflict and change with confidence and equanimity
Impeccable integrity and unquestionable trustworthiness
A sense of humor, abundant compassion, and authentic positivity
Unwavering commitment to and focus on student and staff success