Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Best practices: The Consultant shall work collaboratively to support actions taken by the Arlington School Committee and/or a Superintendent Search Committee formed by the School Committee, and its representatives, in hiring our next public school superintendent. 2. Developing the Candidate Selection Criteria: a. The Consultant shall assist the School Committee and/or the Superintendent Search Committee in defining the leadership needs of the district and in establishing selection criteria for a new superintendent by soliciting input from the School Committee, parents, staff, administration, Town officials, and the community through focus groups, interviews, and an online survey. b. If requested by the School Committee and/or the Superintendent Search Committee, the Consultant shall review the current job description for the position of Superintendent of Schools, and recommend revisions subject to School Committee approval. c. The Consultant shall organize, publicize, and facilitate at least five (5) and up to ten (10) focus groups to gather input on the type of leadership to be sought from the next Superintendent from all stakeholders in the community, including, but not limited to, school department employees (including educators), elected and appointed town government officials, parents, students, community partners, and other interested residents of Arlington. d. The Consultant shall conduct at least five (5) and up to ten (10) individual or small group interviews with individuals specifically identified by the School Committee and/or the Superintendent Search Committee. e. The Consultant shall conduct an online survey approved by the School Committee and/or the Superintendent Search Committee to collect broad community input for those not able to attend or not invited to a specific focus group. 3. Search Process Management: a. The Consultant shall work collaboratively with the School Committee and/or Superintendent Search Committee to ensure that Arlington obtains the best candidate to meet our community and district expectations and priorities, both for today and in the future. b. Timeline: i. The Consultant shall work with the School Committee and/or Superintendent Search Committee to develop the Superintendent search schedule and timeline. (The timeline will be developed in the context of the Committee’s parameters, in which the Superintendent position and the collection of applications shall begin no later than September 18, 2020, with a closing date no later than October 16, 2020, unless mutually agreed by the School Committee and the Consultant. The final School Committee vote to hire the Superintendent shall take place no later than December 17, 2020, unless mutually agreed by the School Committee and the Consultant.) ii. The Consultant shall recommend and coordinate advertising, including its publication, frequency, and duration. Advertising costs are not to be included in the proposal price. iii. The Consultant shall develop the application package, including submission requirements and timelines. iv. The Consultant shall ensure the process is designed to attract a national pool of highly-qualified and diverse candidates.