New Head of School Announcement - The Miami Valley School

the miami valley school
Head of School Announcement
JASON S. (JAY) SCHEURLE SELECTED AS NEW HEAD
On February 25, 2013, The Miami
Valley School Board of Trustees
unanimously chose Jason S. (Jay) Scheurle
as The Miami Valley School’s Head of
School to succeed Peter Benedict on
July 1, 2013.
Jay is currently Head of School at Chesapeake
Academy in Arnold, Md. “We are incredibly fortunate,”
said Sandy McConnell, President of the Board of Trustees,
“that Jay, a passionate educator with extensive development
and marketing experience, has enthusiastically embraced the
opportunity to become MVS’ next Head of School. Jay clearly
understands the mission of MVS and is eager to take on this
exciting role. He received overwhelmingly positive responses
from students, faculty, staff, trustee members, parents and
alumni; and was the unanimous choice of the Head Search
Committee.”
Peter Benedict, who has served as head of MVS for 7 years,
said, “I believe the Head Search Committee led the community
through a very transparent and inclusive process. MVS
attracted extraordinary candidates and the selection of Jay
Scheurle is a testament to the school’s strong reputation and
commitment to talented leadership. I look forward to supporting
him through this transition.”
Jay joins MVS embracing its core values and potential for
growth. “I have been deeply impressed by all I’ve experienced
at MVS during my visits, and I am eager to throw my whole
heart into working with the MVS community to continue to
build on the school’s extraordinary heritage and aspirations for
the future,” said Jay. “I believe there is great potential in what
we can accomplish together in continuing to build a vibrant,
relevant, and engaging learning community for students in the
21st century.”
Jay has been Head of School at Chesapeake Academy since
2006, positioning the school as the premier elementary school
in the Annapolis area. During his tenure, student achievement
improved and curriculum was revamped, including the
addition of a Singapore math program and STEM initiatives.
He consolidated two campuses, led fundraising and construction
initiatives to improve campus facilities, and expanded the
school’s commitment to diversity and multiculturalism.
Prior to his tenure at Chesapeake Academy, Jay served as an
upper school history teacher and Director of Advancement
at Morristown-Beard School in Morristown, NJ. The annual
fund doubled under his leadership and he designed, launched
and managed a $14 million capital campaign. In addition, Jay
has served as Director of Advancement at both The Orchard
School in Indianapolis, IN and North Shore Country Day in
Winnetka, IL.
Jay has served as a board member of Baltimore Educational
Scholarship Trust, served on the Accreditation Committee of
the Association of Independent Maryland Schools (“AIMS”),
and led an AIMS visiting team and been a member of the
Severna Park Chamber of Commerce Education Committee
and the Annapolis Chamber School/Business Alliance. He
received his M.A. in educational leadership from Columbia
University, where he was awarded an E.E. Ford Fellowship, and
a B.S. from Indiana University.
Jay and his wife Tina are the proud parents of two daughters,
Alyssa and Kristina, who are living and working in the New
York City area.

LETTER FROM BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT
MANY VOICES OF MVS
SALUTE CHOICE
FACULTY & STAFF
His professional goals and interests
match the MVS mission very well...Very
good communicator...Calm, considerate
and humble...Jay projected integrity,
sincerity, and a focus on collaboration...
Passionate about MVS’s values...His
experience matches our needs...I feel Jay
would be an exceptional leader for our
school...Business background blended
with school background will be a strong
asset...Good energy...could bring a lot to
MVS...Passionate about diversity and
global education...Strong understanding
of school operations...Lots of experience
in development, campus planning and
curriculum.
PARENTS
Excellent communication skills...Understands
that each child is an individual
but also part of the community...Puts
children first!...Appreciate Jay’s deep experience
with development and marketing...
Relevant experience...Approachable and
forward-thinking...Excellent match for
our school...Genuine, caring, well-rounded,
balanced, realistic and approachable...
Great role model...Passionate about
nurturing students’ education...Very impressed
with this candidate...Appreciated
his passion for the students as well as the
faculty...Jay appears to be a great match.
DEAR FRIENDS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY SCHOOL,
I
t is my pleasure to announce the selection of Jason S. (Jay) Scheurle as
our new Head of School.
My experience of Jay is that of a thoughtful, passionate educator who is focused
on what is best for the child. His values and philosophy of education align
strongly with MVS. As Jay wrote to the Head Search Committee, “The hallmark
of my work as a Head of School has been implementing innovative curricula
aimed at 21st century proficiencies and global understanding.” Also, Jay is a
self-sustaining learner, most recently taking up the cello. As MVS approaches
its 50th anniversary, he and I look forward to forging a strong partnership between
Head of School and Board of Trustees as we move into an exciting phase
for MVS as we pursue the goals of our Strategic Plan.
A major part of the Head Search Committee’s work was to call the references
provided by the candidates. Jay is described as leading with “grace and sensitivity
while getting the job done” and one who is “tireless in terms of energy and
work ethic.” Others describe him as a thoughtful and collaborative individual
who seeks and values input from others. Jay also brings a unique combination
as an educator with substantial experience in development and marketing. As
the Head Search Committee considered three strongly qualified finalists, Jay
stood out as the best match. It was out of this sense of his “fit” with the values,
culture, and needs of MVS that the Head Search Committee unanimously recommended
him as the next Head of School. On Monday, February 25, 2013, the
Board of Trustees confirmed the recommendation.
My hope is that the information provided in this newsletter will add to your anticipation
of Jay’s start as Head of School on July 1, 2013. The Board of Trustees
is excited by this prospect and, based on the feedback we received from faculty,
staff, parents, alumni and students, we are confident he will be warmly
welcomed by the MVS community. Thank you for your participation in the
process.
Sincerely,
Sandy McConnel
President, Board of Trustees

THE SEARCH PROCESS: ENSURING THE RIGHT DECISION
HEAD SEARCH COMMITTEE
SANDY McCONNEL
Co-Chair
Board President
Finding a new Head of School is a critical process that takes the commitment and
dedication of many to make it successful. MVS was fortunate to have such dedicated
individuals who worked together to meet the challenge. The following chronology of
the search process shows the many steps involved in selecting the best candidate:
JIM BROWN
Co-Chair
Past Board President
Parent
JOHN EY
Past Board President
Alumni Parent
DIANE HIRAKAWA
Board Vice President
Parent
PRIYA JAIN
Trustee
Parent
YOLANDA LYON
Middle School Teacher
Parent
BLAIR MUNHOFEN
Upper School Teacher
JULIE PATEL
Director of Early Childhood Center
Parent
PETE ZORNIGER
Trustee
Alumni Parent
Alumnus
Oct. 18, 2012
Nov. 6, 2012
Jan. 30, 2013
Feb. 4-5, 2013
The Board of Trustees appointed a Head Search Committee and charged it with
recommending a candidate for the next Head of School.
Professional search consultants, Stephen Dicicco and Mathew Heersche of
Educational Directions (EDS), were selected. Each are known for their extensive
experience in Head of School searches. They quickly and proficiently organized
our efforts.
At the beginning of the process, the committee sought opinions from faculty,
staff, students, alumni, and parents concerning the requirements for our new
Head of School. This data was collected through personal interviews with
Stephen and Mathew, input forms, and discussions with the Board. In addition,
the committee reviewed our most recent Strategic Plan, ISACS evaluation and
other data to develop a position description, including the qualities of leadership
sought and an outline of the challenges and opportunities facing the next Head.
EDS worked to identify qualified candidates and began networking in the field.
From a substantial national pool, EDS narrowed the candidate pool to
approximately 15 qualified candidates.
The search committee, after careful and individual review of each candidate,
narrowed this list to five semi-finalists.
Each semi-finalist visited MVS. They toured the campus and interviewed with
the Search Committee. The committee then narrowed the pool to three finalists.
Each of the finalists visited MVS. Extensive reference checking began by each
committee member. Each reference call was documented and distributed to each
Search Committee member via e-mail. Information concerning the finalists was
distributed to the MVS community.
Each finalist, accompanied by his spouse, spent two days on campus. On the
agenda were a board reception, a faculty and staff Q&A, a parent and alumni
forum with Q&A, and individual interviews with staff and student leaders.
Participants completed candidate observation forms that identified strengths and
concerns about each candidate.
Each function was well attended and rich observation data was submitted. This
input was reviewed in detail by the Head Search Committee prior to an exit
interview at the completion of each visit.
Feb. 23, 2013
The Head Search Committee discussed each candidate in great detail,
drawing from all data compiled. After much thoughtful consideration, Jason S.
(Jay) Scheurle was unanimously recommended.

A MESSAGE FROM HEAD SEARCH CO-CHAIR JIM BROWN
DEAR MIAMI VALLEY SCHOOL COMMUNITY,
T
he Head Search Committee is deeply appreciative to each person who
committed time and gave us open and honest feedback throughout the
Head of School search process.
MANY VOICES OF MVS
SALUTE CHOICE
STUDENTS & ALUMNI
Open-minded...Believes in students’
ideas...Wants students to take charge of
their own education...Enthusiastic, smart,
willing to listen, extremely well spoken...
He believes in our values...I do not have
enough words to describe how strongly I
feel that Mr. Scheurle would be a perfect
fit for MVS...Friendly, understanding
and compassionate...Mr. Scheurle seems
like an amazing candidate...A great
match for MVS...Appreciates the history
and heritage of the school...Interested in
alumni and how to engage them...Great
experience in alumni relations...Recognizes
importance of traditions and the
need to continue them.
Your active involvement permitted us to conduct a complete and thorough
assessment of our candidates. Additionally, without your engagement, our
candidates would not have had the opportunity to see what a special community
of parents, faculty, administrators, alumni and, most importantly, students we
have at MVS. Each candidate came away impressed and with a desire to join
both our school and our community.
The committee was thrilled with the caliber of the candidates that expressed interest
in being our next Head of School. From the feedback we received, board
members, staff, faculty, parents, alumni and students were equally impressed
by their exposure to such high quality candidates. We are grateful to them and
have learned much from their insights into our school.
The committee appreciates the feedback it received. It was only with that feedback,
combined with referencing and extensive interviews, that we could gain
the most comprehensive view possible for our selection. We are so pleased and
excited to have ended with a candidate that we, and the entire community, can
so strongly embrace.
We feel absolutely confident that we have selected the candidate who best fits
the needs of our school community. We are looking forward to having Jay and
Tina join our MVS community, and Jay is very excited about the challenges and
opportunities ahead. We know that we are putting all of the pieces in place to
make this great school even better.
Thank you for all that you have done to make this process a great success and
for all that you do every day for MVS.
Sincerely,
Jim Brown
Co-Chair, Head of Search Committee