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After a nationwide search and interview process, Council Rock School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Fraser will recommend the school board hire Dr. Susan K. Elliott as assistant superintendent.
The school board will vote on hiring Elliott, who most recently served as language arts supervisor at the West Chester Area School District, at Thursday evening’s meeting.
The new job post will pay $158,000 during the first year.
The new assistant superintendent position will focus on leading all facets of teaching and learning in the district, Fraser said.
“Dr. Elliott was a unanimous choice of the search committee and the board representatives because she is both a very well qualified educator and a strong and articulate leader,” School Board President Andy Block said in a statement. “We’re extremely pleased to have found someone of her caliber. And it’s a real plus that she worked previously with Dr. Fraser, so they will share a vision for teaching and learning and a great working relationship.”
Since the district began their search to fill the newly created assistant superintendent position, a total of 58 educators applied for the job. The selection was narrowed down to five finalist who were interviewed by a committee composed of Council Rock teachers and administrators. In addition, several school board members took part in the interview process.
Ann DeMaio, Council Rock’s professional development coordinator, said she was impressed with Elliott’s research into the district, its students and data.
“I was continually impressed with her extensive knowledge of how professional learning communities function, her leadership experience in working with both administrators and teachers, and her knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Sue understands what it takes to be a great leader by working side-by-side with others. Her expertise, extensive leadership experience and strong work ethic will make Sue a great addition to our Council Rock team,” she said in a statement.
Fraser, a former assistant superintendent, and Elliott both worked at the West Chester Area School District, where she supervised 110 teachers in the district since 2010.
“During her tenure as the language arts supervisor, the West Chester Area School District has excelled on state performance measures. West Chester students currently rank in the top 4% of districts across the state on the new language arts assessment. In 2014, West Chester ranked fifth in the state on the School Performance Profile with each of the 16 schools in the district scoring 90 or higher, one of only three districts in the state to achieve this level of success. As language arts supervisor, she helped the district improve from 91st in writing in 2009 to 26th in 2012 and from 33rd in reading to 19th in the same time span,” a district statement said.
“We are extremely fortunate to have found someone as highly qualified as Dr. Elliott and I know her leadership style will work very well here in Council Rock,” Fraser said.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Council Rock because this is such an excellent district with so many high-performing teachers, administrators, and support staff,” Elliott said. “Also, Dr. Fraser is a strong leader with high expectations, so this is a big challenge, but one I welcome.”
Since Fraser has taken the reigns at Council Rock, he had shuffled the administrative team and reintroduced the assistant superintendent, which was last filled in 2004. Fraser said he has created the position without increasing the administrative headcount. The director of elementary education position has been eliminated.
Elliott is a resident of Downingtown.
If the board approves Elliott’s hiring, she will begin her new role August 1. Her tentative contract runs through July 31, 2021.
