About

Head of School Search

Head of School Search

September 20, 2023

Dear Members of the Shore Community, 
We hope that you are well and that you are having a wonderful start to the school year. 
With our long-term Head of School search well underway, we are pleased to share an update with you today. There has been an overwhelming response to the Head of School position posting and we have received a remarkable number of applications from a diverse and highly qualified group of candidates. This level of interest underscores the strength of our school's reputation, and it has been exciting to see the applicants’ enthusiasm for the opportunity to lead Shore. Applicants have consistently referenced Shore's rich history of educational excellence, the exceptional quality of its faculty, and the impressive caliber of Shore graduates. It has been encouraging to see that candidates are drawn to Shore by some of the same tenets that led many of us to join the Shore community. 
Last week, the Head of School Search Committee held its first meeting, which included initiating bias mitigation training for all committee members. This training has proven invaluable in helping us recognize and be prepared to address potential biases and blind spots that could impact our ability to evaluate candidates fairly.
We are currently in the process of carefully reviewing all applications, with particular emphasis on those recommended by our partner, RG175. Our evaluation process takes into account each candidate's qualifications, experiences, and alignment with Shore's mission, values, and unique needs.
The next step in the selection process is to narrow down the candidate pool to a select group of eight or nine candidates that we will meet in person on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14. The top three candidates from those interviews will then become our finalists who will have the opportunity to come to campus during the first two weeks of November and engage with key constituents in our community including Shore families, faculty, and staff. This will allow us to gain a comprehensive understanding of each candidate's leadership style and alignment with our school's mission, vision, and needs. Following the evaluation process, the Head of School Search Committee will recommend a candidate to the Board of Trustees for their final approval. We anticipate making this recommendation in early December.
In response to inquiries we have received, we would like to clarify that Amy Vorenberg, our current Interim Head of School, will not be pursuing the position of Head of School on a permanent basis. This was both mutual and intentional, allowing Amy to focus on the current needs of our students, employees, and families and to prepare the school for a successful transition to new leadership for the 2024-2025 school year. We appreciate Amy's leadership and dedication during this transitional period and are thankful for her deep commitment to Shore.
We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for Shore Country Day School and are committed to a thorough and inclusive search process to find the best candidate to lead our school into the future. We will continue to keep you updated as the search progresses and welcome your input and support. The Head of School Search Committee can be contacted using the email searchcommittee@shoreschool.org.  
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to Shore Country Day School.
Sincerely,
The Head of School Search Committee
 
Co-Chairs:
Rayna Lesser Hannaway P’25, ’27, Co-Chair, Former Trustee, Former Board President
Alexa Squitieri P’27, Co-Chair, Trustee
 
Committee Members:
Amanda Berg P’27, ’30, Faculty
Jennifer Borggaard ’84, P’17, ’17, ’19, Former Trustee, Former Board President
Dino DiPalma P’25, Trustee
John Fawcett P’25, ’28, Trustee
Blake Liggio P’29, ’29, Trustee
David Lund P’03, ’05, Faculty 
John McVeigh P’21, ’23, Trustee
Meg Wallace P’23, ’25, Trustee
Alex Zaldastani P’20, ’21, Trustee


Frequently Asked Questions

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

  • What search consultant is supporting the search process?

    RG175 is a leading independent school head search firm. Comprised of successful and long-serving former heads of school, the firm possesses a unique blend of skills and expertise required to identify exceptional school leaders. Our consultants, Jerry Katz and Tony Featherston, bring extensive experience to the Shore Country Day School search. They are excited to work closely with the Search Committee, advising us throughout the search process and identifying candidates with the requisite experience, skills, and vision to lead our school. Additional information about RG175, including bios for Jerry and Tony, is available on their website at www.RG175.com.

  • How is the community involved in the Search Process?

    Recognizing the importance of community input in defining the qualities we seek in our new Head, we initiated forums where teachers, staff, students, parents, and caregivers could engage with our consultants. Moreover, we extended the opportunity to current and past community members to share their thoughts through an online survey. This collaborative endeavor aided our consultant, RG175, in comprehending our school's unique attributes and the qualities we seek in our future Head of School.

  • What is the timeline for the search?

    Our current plan is to announce the appointment of a new Head of School by the end of the year, with the individual assuming their responsibilities on July 1, 2024.

  • What is the role of the Board of Trustees in the search?

    Selecting the Head of School is a vital responsibility of the Board, one of the most significant roles it fulfills for Shore. The detailed task of conducting the search is entrusted to a designated Search Committee within the Board. The Search Committee is responsible for making a recommendation to the entire Board of Trustees who in turn, vote for the appointment of the next Head of School.

  • How were Search Committee members selected?

    The Search Committee is composed of trustees, former trustees, and faculty members, all sharing a profound dedication to Shore Country Day School. Their collective understanding of the school's history, mission, and values, along with their diverse backgrounds and essential attributes like sound judgment, collaborative skills, and a commitment to confidentiality, ensure the committee's effectiveness.

  • What is the role of the Search Committee?

    The Search Committee's initial duty is to establish the necessary qualities for the upcoming head of school. As the process unfolds, they will evaluate candidate applications, conduct interviews with promising candidates, gather input from various references, and ultimately present a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

  • How will the Search Committee keep the community updated?

    The Search Committee will provide regular updates as the process unfolds. Given the confidential nature of most of the search process, communication will be guided accordingly.

  • How can I help during the search?

    While the Board's ultimate decision follows the Search Committee's recommendation, input from faculty, parents, students, and alumni will significantly contribute to assessing the finalist candidates later this fall. If you have any information or concerns, kindly share them with the Search Committee. We stress the importance of maintaining confidentiality throughout the process, except during the finalist phase. For any inquiries or concerns, please feel free to contact us at:
    searchcommittee@shoreschool.org.


POSITION STATEMENT

  • View Position Statement
    Head of School Search
    Shore Country Day School
    Beverly, Massachusetts
    Start Date: July 1, 2024

COMMUNICATIONS


Head of School Search Committee

List of 11 items.

  • Rayna Lesser Hannaway P'25, '27

    Co-Chair, Former Trustee, Former Board President
    Biography

  • Alexa Squitieri P'27

    Co-Chair, Trustee
    Biography

  • Amanda Berg P'27, '30

    Faculty
    Biography

  • Jennifer Borggaard '84, P'17, ‘17, '19

    Former Trustee, Former Board President
    Biography

  • Dino DiPalma P'25

    Trustee
    Biography

  • John Fawcett P’25, ‘28

    Trustee
    Biography

  • Blake Liggio P'29, '29

    Trustee
    Biography

  • David Lund P'03, '05

    Faculty
    Biography

  • John McVeigh P'21, '23

    Trustee
    Biography

  • Meg Wallace P'23, '25

    Trustee
    Biography

  • Alex Zaldastani P'20, '21

    Trustee
    Biography
Questions related to the Head of School Search? 
Contact the Search Committee at SearchCommittee@shoreschool.org.


Shore Country Day School

545 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 927-1700
Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.