Delaware Academy for School Leadership

DASL Executive Leadership Services

Finding the Perfect Fit

Let us help you find what you are looking for

Superintendent/Head of School Search

Unlike for-profit executive search companies, the Delaware Academy for School Leadership (DASL) has a vested interest in placing the very best candidate, not just any candidate, in each district for which it conducts a search. Being a part of the University of Delaware, DASL has access to a variety of university resources and personnel to customize the executive search process to a school board’s specifications for finding highly qualified candidates for the position of superintendent of schools.

The DASL Team is comprised of career administrators and leaders who have a proven track record and are well respected throughout the state and region. The DASL Team will screen applicants and support the Board throughout the entire interviewing process, ensuring that the final candidate has the skills, knowledge, and characteristics necessary to meet qualifications and, more importantly, be successful.

DASL’s model helps Boards clarify their needs and expectations for the new superintendent, screening applicants, negotiating a final contract agreement, collaborating to set goals, assist with performance evaluation and performance reviews and, upon request, provide coaching during the first year.

DASL’s Superintendent/Executive Search Services prides itself on providing comprehensive search
services tailored to the needs of each school district.

Strategic Planning

The experienced staff at DASL can help facilitate and coordinate strategic planning for school districts. Strategic planning is an organizational management activity that is used to set priorities, focus resources, strengthen operations, and ensure that staff/stakeholders are working toward common goals and objectives. Effective strategic planning articulates not only where an organization is going and the actions needed to make progress, but also how it will know if it is successful. The DASL team is familiar with a variety of strategic planning models. DASL staff work collaboratively with the Board, Administrative Leadership Team, staff, and stakeholders to develop a strategic plan that is user friendly, understandable, and effectively guides the future direction of a school district.

School Board Governance

DASL can assist School Boards in helping them develop a more collaborative culture. Through case
studies and best-practice research, DASL can tailor sessions to address the individual needs of districts.

Some topics include:

Governance Vs. Management
Building a Team Approach
Standards of Operating Practice
Improving Communication Protocols
Working to Consensus
Adopting Policies/Agreements
Evaluation of Leadership
Crisis Management/Communication

DASL stands ready to assist school boards in a variety of areas based on local needs.

School Board and Superintendent Relationships

A strong, effective relationship between superintendents and school board members is critically
important to the success of a school district. DASL can assist school boards and superintendents in
strengthening this relationship by providing communication strategies to be build collaboration and
understanding.

Executive Coaching

The DASL team is made of very experienced veteran administrators with many years of experience
successfully leading school districts. The DASL team offers executive coaching and consulting for
district-level leadership including, but not limited to, superintendents, assistant superintendents,
directors, supervisors, etc. The executive coaching experience will provide participants a confidential
“sounding board” with an experienced DASL administrator who can provide critical input and support prior to implementing decisions. The DASL executive coaching will help district leaders optimize their leadership performance and center on self-awareness, goal setting, action planning/implementation, and measuring success around systems and organizational dynamics.

Our Experienced Personnel Are Ready To Help

Become a Partner

Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald has spent over forty three years as an educator; thirty as an administrator, thirteen as a teacher and now as a Senior Educational Leadership Specialist for the University of Delaware’s Academy for School Leaders (DASL). Recognized by the National Association of School Superintendents as the 2018-19 National Superintendent of Year, Fitzgerald was superintendent of the Caesar Rodney School District from 2007 -2022. During his tenure the district has been involved in the construction and renovation of fourteen schools; has had six schools recognized with National Blue Ribbons; implemented the first Chinese immersion program in the state; increased and made available to all students advancement placement and world language offerings to all students and has continually graduated students who have been both college and career ready.

Kevin is ready to help out your organization today! Click on the “Become a Partner Button” above or contact Dr. Fitzgerald at krfitz@udel.edu.

Dr. Le Roy Whitehead has enjoyed 35 years in public education. He is proud to join the Delaware Academy for School Leadership at the University of Delaware as an Educational Leadership Specialist. He joins DASL from the Phoenixville Area School District in Chester County, PA where he was the assistant superintendent for six years, overseeing the district’s curricular and professional development and daily operations. He worked with district staff to establish professional learning communities, led the transition to a new teacher evaluation system, implemented a new learning management system, and supervised the construction of two new elementary schools. He has served as President of the Board of Directors for the Communities that Care, and is currently serving on the advisory board for the Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families.