School Pro Service Specialties

School Pro prides itself on offering start to close services. What does this mean? We help every step of the way to make your life easier. We can assist you from the first RFP to the closing contract signatures. Need more than recruitment? We have an array of trainings we offer for various stakeholder groups that make your school organization better, stronger and more transparent. See below for our specialty services design for different stakeholder groups.

Why Choose SchoolPro K-12 for your next ED Leadership Search?

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE & REAL RELATIONSHIPS: 

Our search & design team has served in educational roles throughout Minnesota in various capacities and contexts.  This rich history has allowed us to know our candidates and their lasting impacts on their communities.  We have a real relationship with our candidates and have taken the time to know them individually.  Relationships matter and SPK12’s core values emphasize long-term candidate and organizational success and are more than a singular event.

PROPRIETARY MATCHING SYSTEM

SPK12 background in research, metrics, and evaluation has led to an exclusive matching system between districts and prospects. Making a good match requires several key elements. Here are some ways we help match candidates and districts.

  • Know what you want: Before looking for a match, it’s essential to know what you are looking for in a future leader. This means identifying your organization’s values, interests, and goals. We help you identify these needs, talk with your constituents, identify your wins and evaluate your losses.
  • Be honest and transparent: When you’re getting to know a candidate, it’s essential to be honest and transparent about who you are, what you want, and what you’re willing to give. We will review market equivalences and comparables to ensure you are attracting the right candidates.
  • Look beyond surface-level qualities: While interviews are important, it’s essential to look beyond surface-level qualities to find a good match. Focus on shared values, past experiences, history, interests, and goals.  Let us help with our custom-designed screening process that shows you the real candidate.
  • Be open-minded: Keep an open mind when getting to know a candidate. Don’t make assumptions based on first impressions, interviews, or stereotypes.  Let us help you with bias training for your interview teams and allow for a clear understanding of selection criteria.
  • Communicate effectively: Good communication is key to any successful match. Let our experienced staff help you communicate to your stakeholders at every step, from listening sessions to announcements.  Our process and communications gallery is extensive and relevant for today’s stakeholders. We will help your organization listen actively, express yourself clearly, and be respectful and empathetic in your interactions with candidates and the public.
  • Take your time: Don’t rush into a match too quickly. Take the time to get to follow our research-backed screening and interview process.  Choosing a new leader with a short interview is no longer relevant.  

RESEARCH-BASED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRACTICES: 

SPK12 allows you to gain in-depth information from your community through a community engagement survey that includes national norms. The survey identifies the goals, needs, and priorities of the school system to help better match a candidate’s skills with the needs of the District and gives valuable information to the new leader on day one of employment.  In addition, SPK12 can take time to learn more about your community needs through site visits and town hall meetings.  Our experienced facilitators understand people and the importance of listening.  SPK12  understands that materials published to constituents must be detailed and clear; the survey report reflects that the superintendent search process is part of a disciplined approach that your community deserves.

CURATED TALENT PORTFOLIO: Without any advertising, you can be assured that SPK12 will already be looking into the carefully screened candidate portfolio and reaching out to candidates who are seeking to be in your area, demographics, and characteristics.  We don’t go looking for candidates; we already have them.  Let us bring you some of our top talented candidates for consideration.

VALUES-BASED INTERVIEW DESIGN:

With over 15 years of experience in hiring, the SPK12 associates have developed a values-based interview experience that gets beyond standard rote answers and is at the heart of the response.  Our team will train your interview teams to listen and evaluate between candidate interviews and interactions.  This experiential design is made from a menu of options of question banks and interview steps that make for a tailor-made interview experience for both your team and our candidates.