What is the role of the Board of Trustees in the Head of School search process?
It is the responsibility of the Board to hire, support, and evaluate its sole employee, the Head of School. The Board will meet with finalists and review, then act on, the recommendation from the Search Committee. The Board’s primary role is to advance the mission of Mack Boulder and ensure the long-term viability and health of the school.
Is the school seeking an interim or long-term leader?
Our priority is the long-term health and success of Mackintosh. To ensure we find the right leader, we are leaving the option open for either a permanent or interim candidate for the 2026/27 school year. Rather than constraining our options prematurely, we believe the wisest approach is to engage with exceptional candidates and let those conversations inform our decision.
What is the role of the Search Committee?
The Search Committee will review candidate files, make reference calls, select and interview semifinalists and finalists, and recommend to the Board of Trustees the candidate they believe should be hired as the next Head of School.
How are people chosen for the Search Committee?
To ensure there is broad engagement and input from the entire Mack Boulder community, we selected individuals with a breadth and depth of relationships with the school, including trustees, parents, alumni parents, and faculty. Members are charged with holding the future of the school and its mission at the forefront, and it is our hope that collectively a wide range of perspectives and experiences will inform our discussions.
Will people other than the search committee get to meet the candidates?
Absolutely! Community input in this process is very important. The search committee will vet the initial pool of candidates and identify a group of semifinalists who will be interviewed in a confidential setting. This is done primarily to ensure that those potential candidates who have not yet informed their current schools of their possible interest in a career move will not be compromised by expressing interest in this position. The finalists—usually 2-3—will be invited to campus and have an opportunity to meet with members of the Mack community through a variety of venues and forums.
What are the criteria for making a decision about selecting the right person?
We have developed a position statement (Information for Candidates) that articulates the opportunities and challenges that await the new Head of School as well as the professional skills and personal characteristics we believe are most desirable and relevant to successfully lead Mack Boulder. These will include demonstrated leadership experience, excellent communication skills, proven abilities in financial management and fundraising, and a passion for the Mack mission.
There are great people already working at Mack Boulder—wouldn’t it be easier to choose someone here?
We are fortunate to have such a capable and committed group of professionals working at the school. We will encourage individuals who have an interest in the Head’s role to apply for the position. All candidates will be considered and reviewed in the same manner—this is crucial to the integrity of the process and to ensure we select the individual we believe to be best suited to be the next leader of our school.
How long will this process take?
We are engaging in a thoughtful, well-planned search and transition process, with an appropriate sense of urgency given the timing. We anticipate the following timeline:
- Position posted: February
- Semifinalist interviews: Mid-March
- Finalist visits: Early April
- Appointment: May
- Start date: July 1, 2026
What if I know someone who may be interested?
Interested candidates should contact Tracy Bennett (tbennett@educatorscollaborative.com) of Educators Collaborative directly. They will maintain confidentiality for all recommended candidates. We also invite members of the community to make referrals of appropriate candidates. Please contact Tracy to share names and contact information of potential candidates, and she will reach out directly to them.