Superintendant Bill Huyett will stay on past June 30 so school board can continue searching for his replacement

The Berkeley Board of Education voted on Thursday to initiate a new search for the position of Superintendent after an first round of interviews failed to throw up a suitable candidate. Incumbent superintendent Bill Huyett has agreed to extend his contract to give the board time to find his replacement.

In a statement, the Board said that a broader search was needed “to find the candidate that possessed the unique qualities desired in the next Superintendent.”

“The Board of Education is taking its responsibility of finding a good match for the District seriously,” said Board President John Selawsky. “The process of interviewing several candidates has already helped us to more clearly identify the kind of leader we are looking for. We have very high expectations for our next superintendent and I am optimistic that we will find the right match for the District in the next few months.”

Bill Huyett announced his intention to retire in December 2011 and was due to leave his post on June 30. The board held a series of public meetings with school staff and members of the community earlier this year to draw up the profile for the new appointment and held interviews in the past few weeks. It had been expected to announce a new superintendent imminently.

Related:
What does Berkeley want from its new schools head? [03.14.12]
Berkeley schools superintendent Bill Huyett to retire [12.06.11]

Tracey Taylor is co-founder of Berkeleyside and co-founder and editorial director of Cityside, the nonprofit parent to Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. Before launching Berkeleyside, Tracey wrote for...