The Omaha Public Schools district is now in the final stages of the superintendent search following prior superintendent Dr. Cheryl Logan’s departure in 2023.
“In November, the board approved the many places that we would be advertising the job posting, focusing on reaching every qualified candidate as possible. Reflecting on community input that we received through the surveys, through the engagement sessions we had in the fall,” said OPS Board President Spencer Head in the Feb 8. meeting. “We take this process extremely seriously. It’s an incredible privilege to represent this district.”
Over 62 individuals were asked to apply as superintendent out of those, only 32 started an application and 26 completed it, according to GR Recruiting.
“We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Dr. Dick Christie with GR Recruiting in the board meeting. “I am looking forward to the next step.”
The board members have narrowed down the search to four possible candidates, Ray being one.
The others are: Dr. Thomas Ahart, Dr. Christopher Bernier, Matthew Ray and Luis Solano.
Ahart is a consultant/coach contracted with the Council of Great City Schools. He previously served as an associate superintendent and middle school principal at Des Moines Public Schools.
Bernier is superintendent for the Lee County School District in Fort. Meyers, Florida. He previously served as chief of staff in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada, associate superintendent and senior director of professional development in Orange County Public Schools and also as a middle and high school principal both in Orlando, Florida.
Ray, current Interim Superintendent has previously served as deputy superintendent/chief of staff; interim chief of accountability; school improvement and innovation; interim chief academic officer; secretary to the board of education; executive director of student and community services for the OPS.
Solano is the deputy superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District. He was previously associate superintendent in Collier County Public Schools as well as a high School principal in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools both in Florida.
OPS has provided the community a timeline of the final steps of the search. The board is holding a meeting with the public to meet the candidates on Feb 12 at Buena Vista 6:30 pm. Then on Feb 13 to interview each candidate at the Teacher and Administration Center (TAC). The meeting on Feb 13 will be live streamed at Omaha Public Schools District Overview (youtube.com)
