Head of school Search

Dear Villa Community,
 
I am writing to update you on the progress of the Villa Head of School search. 
 
As the 2009/2010 school year draws toward a close, we have much to be thankful for including Polly Skinner's terrific service to Villa Academy these past 11 years, Jody Elsner's willingness to serve as Interim Head of School for the 2010/2011 school year and the strong support of the Villa community during this time of transition. Thank you.
 
The search for Head of School is both critical and exciting. Villa is thriving and poised to reach new heights. The Villa Board of Trustees has established a process for the search that will be both thorough and time sensitive.  
 
Villa parent and Trustee, Matt McIlwain, will chair the Search Committee, which includes a diverse set of educators, Villa Trustees (past and present), faculty and parents. Committee members include:
 
  - Liz Swift, past Villa Trustee and parent, Holy Names Head of School
 
  - Matt Barmore, outgoing Villa Trustee, Seattle Prep Principal
 
  - Robert Downey, Villa 2nd grade teacher
 
  - Kristen Piedra, Villa Trustee and parent
 
  - Mary Petersen, incoming Villa Trustee, parent, and Seattle University education administrator
 
  - Lendy Vail, Vice President, Villa Parent Association and parent
 
  - Mike Metzger, past Villa Trustee, chaired past Villa capital campaign and alumni parent
 
  - Matt McIlwain, Search Committee Chair, Villa Trustee, and parent with private sector search experience
 
Terry Macaluso, a professional search consultant, has been retained to assist in the search.  Terry is an experienced educator and consultant to Heads of School and boards.
 
Terry was President of St. Mary's Academy in Colorado, Head of School at the Lakeside School in Seattle and currently combines her school consulting work with service to Eastside Preparatory in Kirkland. She was also involved with the search process to select Polly Skinner as Villa's Head of School. Terry will be spending a substantial amount of time with members of the Villa community in the coming weeks and months and we appreciate her willingness to guide us through this important process.
 
The Board and Search Committee have defined a process and timeline for the search which includes gathering input from the Villa community, defining the position statement/job description, inviting candidates to apply and then working through a screening and interviewing process throughout the fall to select three to four finalists.
 
It is our goal to complete the finalists' school visits and hire a new Head of School by December 31, 2010 with an expected start date of July 1, 2011.
 
I hope this information is helpful to you. 
 
Members of the community (alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends) will have opportunities to engage in the process.   As an initial engagement, please consider sharing your opinions through this on-line survey.  Your responses will be kept anonymous and treated confidentially.
 
Should you have any questions, concerns, input or ideas for candidates, please contact me at:   We can correspond by email or arrange a time to talk by phone.
 
Thank you for your support.
 
Sincerely,
Sr. Ann Cornelia Sullivan, SNJM
Chair
Villa Academy Board of Trustees