Norwin seeks public input in superintendent search

Norwin officials who will choose the next school superintendent will hear what residents want in a new district leader during a community focus group meeting on March 26.

Tom Templeton, owner of Templeton Advantage LLC of Newport, an educational executive search firm, will lead the discussion at the public forum set for 6 to 8 p.m. at the Norwin Middle School auditorium on Mockingbird Drive in North Huntingdon.

Templeton’s firm near Harrisburg was hired by the school board in February to search for a replacement for Jeff Taylor, who will resign as superintendent on June 30.

Participants will have the opportunity explore the strengths and challenges of the district and review key issues to be addressed in the next school year and in the future, the district said. Those attending the public forum are asked to enter the middle school through door 23.

Norwin’s faculty and staff had a chance to offer their views last week during a focus group meeting that was closed to the public, said Matthew Thomas, school board president.

Residents also will be able to offer their opinion through a survey to be distributed in the near future.

In the meantime, the district is accepting applications for superintendent until April 2.

Director Alex Detschelt said in February he had received letters of interest from five candidates in the Norwin community. He favored screening those individuals before spending up to $20,000 on hiring a search firm, but that effort that failed in a 5-4 vote.

The tenor of the school board has changed since the current majority took control in December 2023 and has shown support for the administration. All five of the Republican candidates that Detschelt supported lost in the November 2023 election, including two who wanted to declare the superintendent’s position.