November 19, 2024 | Search Update and Position Statement

These meetings, together with the results of the online survey, provided a clear picture of the energy, passion, and capabilities of our entire community. The search consultants made a point of noting our committed faculty and staff, as well as the considerable capability of our administration team, to effectively manage the school during this time of change. 

Above all else, they saw Berwick as a welcoming, cohesive community with a rich history and an even brighter future. An institution steeped in academic excellence, focused on supporting the whole child, living a culture consistent with the values of our amazing location. While every school has some kind of challenge, they are excited about the story they can tell about the richness of the opportunity our school presents to potential Head of School candidates.  

RG175 is very positive about the initial interest and energy this search is generating. As noted previously, this role is being presented as an opportunity for a start date in July of either 2025 or 2026. To clarify any confusion around this, our intention is to announce the appointment of our next Head of School this Spring – regardless of when that individual will start. Should the Board of Trustees, based upon the work of the Search Committee, determine that the best candidate for this role is someone with contractual obligations through June 2026, we will announce our selection this Spring and will hire an interim Head of School to serve for the 2025-26 school year. The interim would fill the gap for the year, consulting and communicating with the incoming Head of School who would begin in July 2026. This will ensure the initiatives, momentum, and execution of our current strategic plan move forward, while the day-to-day operations of the school continue with diligence and effective leadership. We are confident this process will provide the opportunity to find the right Head of School for Berwick.

In the coming weeks, I will reach out with updated communication on the general timeline for reviewing candidate profiles as well as the selection of the Advisory Committee members.  

Thank you again to all who participated in the extensive fact-finding process with RG175. Your input was important in communicating the unique and powerful value of the Berwick Academy experience and all that our community has to offer. The position statement has been posted on the RG175 website. You are welcome to review it here.

Sincerely,

Nicole Outsen
Head of School Search Committee Chair