Searching for a new Upper School head
O
n Sept. 25, Stephen Dunn announced that he will be departing Nueva after four years as the Upper School Division head at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. The search for the Upper School’s third division head is now underway.
The Advisory Search Committee and Resource Group 175—the consulting group also tasked with finding Nueva’s next head of school—are leading
the search. Two consultants visited both campuses at the end of October for listening sessions with students, faculty, parents, and the school board. Community members were invited to share the characteristics they hope to see in the new head.
Terry Lee, Associate Head of School, stressed the importance of the new division head’s understanding of Nueva’s mission, culture, and evolution.
“We as a school value someone who is willing to come here, listen, observe, and learn, not just come here and tell us who they are and what plans they have for us,” Lee said.
The consultants will translate the community’s perspectives into a job description and a position paper. By mid- November, the position paper will be sent to 3,000 potential candidates, starting the three-month period of narrowing the candidate field. In January, the finalists
will visit the campus and be interviewed. The new upper school division head is expected
to be announced sometime in February 2020.
The school will not appoint an interim unless necessary. As long as everything goes according to plan, Lee does not expect the need to arise, although the timing of the Head of School search may impact that decision.
“Our school is so fast-paced, we deserve someone who can hit the ground running,” said Claire Yeo, the Upper School Assistant Division Head. “Just tear the band-aid off!”
Dunn, meanwhile, will be moving to Waimea, Hawaii, where he will assume the Head of School position at Parker School.
Written by Anouschka B.
Staff Writer
