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OPS board gets superintendent leadership profile

By Katie Schubert

Omaha, NE – Stakeholders in the Omaha Public Schools district want a new superintendent who's approachable, fully involved in the community, and focused on students.

Those are some of the results from 1,090 responses received during public forums and from an online survey. Consulting firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates used those responses to shape a leadership profile presented to the OPS board Wednesday.

Consultant Marvin Edwards says the profile shows the desire for a superintendent who's collaborative and will stay with OPS long-term. "Stakeholders want someone with public relations skills who can inspire confidence in parents, business leaders, community members, and that person should bring strength to the school district along with the decisive action he or she would be taking whenever decisions would have to be made."

The report also identified what stakeholders see as the district's strengths and challenges. Edwards says one challenge noted in the report is the academic achievement gap. He says school funding was also identified as a challenge. Among the strengths identified in the report are OPS' diversity and magnet programs.

The profile will now become part of an application for the superintendent position. Dr. John Mackiel, OPS' current superintendent, is retiring at the end of this school year.