Question: Hiring a new principal?

I’m PTO president at my school and have been asked to serve on the selection and interview committee for a new principal. What kinds of questions should I ask? I’m the only parent on the committee; everyone else is a staff or school board member, so I’d like to be prepared.


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Advice from PTO Today

Elly writes:

What a terrific opportunity! Because the other members of the search committee likely will focus their inquiries on each candidate’s relevant administrative experience, you can aim for insight about his approach and philosophy regarding parent involvement at school.

Rather than posing questions that will elicit formulaic answers (for example, “Do you enjoy working with parents?” or “Do you think parent involvement is important?”), ask each candidate to cite one or two specific examples of how he was able to improve parent involvement in his past positions.

Other questions include:

  • If we called the PTO at your previous school, how would they describe their working relationship with you? Why would they say that?
  • Describe a time when you enlisted the help of parents to get a major program, project, or activity implemented at school. What were some of the highlights? The lows?
  • Do you think parents can ever be too involved at school? If yes, how would you handle such a situation?
  • How much input would you expect to have over parent group activities and budgeting?

The collective answers should give you a good idea of each candidate’s ability to work effectively with your group. Happy interviewing!




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