Oakland Elementary School Principal Hiring Timeline Letter & Survey #1 |
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Dear Oakland Elementary School Community,
As an essential partner in the school community, the purpose of this letter is to provide an update on the principal selection process at Oakland Elementary School. We would like to take a moment and express our gratitude to Dr. Evelyn Cruz and the entire Oakland staff for their continuous leadership and service to the Oakland school community during this transitional period.
As we look ahead, we are writing to explain how we will proceed with finding the next principal of Oakland Elementary School. Our goal is to ensure each stage of the principal selection process reflects the values we uphold: inclusivity, accessibility, equity, collaboration, and integrity. Over time, we have refined our approach to ensure it is responsive to the voices and perspectives of our school communities.
To that end, we will continue to offer multiple opportunities for all members of the school community to engage in the principal selection process. The process will include the following: | -
A stakeholder survey (including students, school staff, families, Collaborative School Committee, and community members) will be offered to provide feedback on the qualities and priorities important to the school and the next principal.
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Office of Schools leaders will meet with the school’s Collaborative School Committee (CSC) to use the results of the stakeholder surveys to finalize the principal candidate profile and confirm questions for the CSC panel interviews.
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In alignment with our shared goals and values, the Office of Schools and district leaders will pre-screen applicants. To ensure Oakland Elementary School’s performance improves and the school exits the state and district accountability processes, we are looking for strong candidates with experiences to dramatically improve outcomes for all learners. The top qualified candidates will participate in an initial round of interviews with district personnel and elected CSC members.
- In-person opportunities will be made available to meet the final candidates. These include drop-in opportunities for staff to meet the finalists, a moderated in-person community forum (using questions from the initial feedback survey accompanying this letter), and an informal meet and greet event following the forum.
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An additional survey will be offered for stakeholders to provide feedback on the final candidates.
- The Superintendent will review feedback collected throughout the interview process and conduct an interview with the final candidates before making a final decision.
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We believe a strong partnership with our students, staff, families, and community is essential in selecting the next principal. To continue to honor this approach, we invite students, staff, families, CSC, and community members to complete the Principal Hiring Community Input survey below to list characteristics they would like to see in the next principal. Please complete this survey by Friday, January 16, 2026 by these methods below: |
Below this letter is the tentative timeline of the community involvement steps of the process. We will also engage in rigorous reference and data collection on the final candidates.
Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. Our focus will be to ensure we identify the best leader to lead Oakland Elementary School. Sincerely, Dr. Christian Sawyer
Director, Elevate Network Dr. Christina Sylvester Operational Services Director |
Principal Selection Process Tentative Timeline
| Now through January 16, 2026 |
- Community feedback via Principal Hiring Community Input survey
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- On January 28th, the Office of Schools team will virtually meet with CSC to continue to build the principal candidate profile, confirm interview questions for the CSC panel interviews, and confirm upcoming principal selection events.
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On February 3rd, the top qualified candidates will participate in an initial round of interviews including panel interviews with the school’s CSC, Office of Schools leaders, and a principal representative in the Elevate Network. A letter will be shared announcing the top finalists, opportunities to interact with the finalists, and ways to provide feedback.
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On February 10th, the Office of Schools leaders and the top finalists will spend a day completing an instructional learning walk and conducting informal classroom observations. Oakland staff are welcome to drop-in during designated times during the school day to meet the finalists and ask the finalists questions related to their future candidacy. A moderated, in-person community forum will be held immediately after school using questions submitted in the initial survey accompanying this letter. An informal meet and greet and reception event will follow after the forum. Students, staff, families, and community members are encouraged to attend. Interpretation services will be provided.
- The finalists will participate in an interview with Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tony Smith, and other Office of Schools leaders.
- Principal Announced
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*Dates and events may be subject to change |
Principal Hiring Community Input Survey |
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