Some searches need someone who can hit the ground running. This one needed someone who knew when not to. Finding a leader who could hold both academic rigor and community trust at once is precisely the kind of match we exist to make.
Lighthouse Community Public Schools needed a Chief Academic Officer who could lead a rigorous, equity-centered TK to 12 academic program while operating effectively within East Oakland's complex social, political, and community context, including violence-impacted neighborhoods and a politically charged charter landscape.
The role would oversee principals, special education and mental health services for nearly 20 percent of students, college and career programming, and central academic teams, touching approximately 200 staff across the network.
LCPS needed a leader equally comfortable navigating California's charter accountability process, particularly through high-stakes renewals, as engaging historically marginalized families and community partners with humility and credibility.
Defined a narrow profile before the search began: 10 or more years of progressive TK to 12 leadership, direct experience supervising principals, and deep experience with special education systems in historically underserved communities.
Scored finalists on a structured, six-competency interview rubric. The eventual hire scored highest on community trust building and adaptive leadership, and a second independent reviewer recommended her hire outright.
Found a finalist with an early career start as a charter school assistant principal, followed by nearly two decades advancing through public education leadership at a large public school district in Washington State, with hands-on experience redesigning multilingual student support systems and curriculum adoption processes.
Stronger Consulting partners with mission-driven organizations to turn complex challenges into clear, practical action, from strategy through implementation.
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