Executive Director Transition

Hello NYOS Community,

 

I hope you are all doing well and staying warm!

 

John C. Maxwell said, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” We all know NYOS is not
ordinary—that’s why we all joined this community and committed to supporting our kids and each other. Personal growth is an important measure in our community. We teach our students the skills and tools to learn and grow, not just academically, but as responsible, independent, healthy individuals. And we all know that, not only is change inevitable in life, it is practically constant!

 

I write to you today to share news of an upcoming change within our community. After 15 years of tireless, dedicated service to NYOS, we will soon say goodbye to our executive director, Kathleen Zimmermann. Ms. Zimmermann’s last day with NYOS will be in mid-February. She has accepted a challenging new opportunity, where she will continue to work diligently for Texas charter school students, as we were fortunate enough to experience firsthand during her tenure at NYOS.

 

Ms. Zimmermann’s contributions and legacy at NYOS run deep. For this, she has earned our deepest gratitude. In addition to keeping NYOS on track with our mission, a few of her major contributions to NYOS also include:
   ● Securing a healthy financial state for the school during difficult times and in the context of increased regulations and decreased funding from the state;
   ● Achieving the highest financial rating every year of her tenure, with a perfect score in each of the last four years;
   ● After the state adopted a new A-F accountability rating system in 2017, creating an A-rated instructional program with a sustained waitlist of more than 100% of total enrollment;
   ● Expanding the Lamar campus to include Building D;
   ● Acquiring the property adjacent to the Lamar campus;
   ● Overseeing the development, financing, and construction of Buildings 1 and 2, the gym, and the practice field, uniting the Elementary and Secondary campuses;
   ● Renovating the Lamar campus to include performance space and the Jag Den for college, career, and military readiness;
   ● Leading the school through planned enrollment growth over the years;
   ● Ensuring two 10-year charter renewals during her tenure; and
   ● Winning the Texas Charter School Leader of the Year in 2018.

 

She has also made significant contributions to the larger charter school community, by serving on the Texas Public Charter School Association board and through legislative advocacy and testimony provided in support of charter schools. Ms. Zimmermann has led us through challenges, and celebrated our triumphs, to ensure NYOS continues to be the amazing charter school it is today.

 

Over my almost-six-years serving on the NYOS School Board, I have had the privilege and opportunity to work closely with Ms. Zimmermann and to get to know her better. I can say without reservation that her dedication and commitment to not only preserving NYOS, but also helping it thrive and grow are unparalleled. We appreciate all of her hard work over the years, from negotiating with debtors to stay open, to successfully overseeing the renewal of our charter (twice!), to fulfilling our founders’ dream of bringing our students all together on a single campus.
She did not accomplish these milestones alone, but she did serve as the strong leader we needed to see us through each one.

 

We wish Ms. Zimmermann all of the best in her new role and hope she has the opportunity to come back and visit us occasionally. After all, once a Jag, always a Jag!

 

What’s next?
This transition coincides with the School’s adoption of a new strategic plan for the next five years. Although we are saddened to see Ms. Zimmermann leave, we are excited to continue the great work of which she has been a part, and we look forward to continuing to thrive as a school and community. The School Board is dedicated to continuing the strategic planning process, which has thoughtfully sought and will incorporate our community’s forward-looking goals and vision for the future.

 

Several years ago, the School Board created a succession plan to guide us through a transition in leadership, if and when the occasion arose. Yesterday, we met and officially began the succession process. As we implement the succession plan, we will ensure that leadership remains stable and consistent with our values during the transition and after. At the same time, the School Board will undertake to recruit a new, permanent executive director and, for that purpose, has formed a search committee charged with leading recruitment. The committee consists of two parent board members, two teacher board members, and a community board member. Of course, a thoughtful search will not yield results overnight and it may take a number of months to identify an executive director who is the right fit for NYOS. The School Board will keep the community informed on this process and there will be an opportunity for community input. We are in the process of compiling FAQs and will share those with the community over the next few weeks.

 

We ask for your continued support and patience throughout this process. As we are all parent, teacher, and community member volunteers dedicated to supporting NYOS, we are putting our full hearts and minds into recruiting another highly qualified executive director who understands our mission and our community, so that we can continue to move forward.

 

Please continue to volunteer your time at school, when you are able. If you have the opportunity, reach out to and advocate for better funding from our legislators and governor (remember, the basic allotment hasn’t changed since 2019!).

 

Most importantly, please continue to support our students, staff, and each other during this time of change, extending patience and grace whenever possible. Please know that every one of us, without exception, is here for the kids. We all want the best for our students, above all else.

 

In life, change is definitely inevitable. And it’s also an opportunity to grow closer as a community. Let’s continue to model for our students what it looks like to come together and work together for the benefit of the community. I look forward to continuing to work beside you all, for the kids.

 

Best,

 

Kari Honea
Parent Member and Chair
NYOS School Board

 

1. KATHLEEN ​​ZIMMERMANN, NYOS’ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WILL BE LEAVING NYOS IN MID-FEBRUARY. IS SHE OK?
Yes. After 15 years of dedication and service to NYOS, Kathleen has accepted a challenging new opportunity where she will continue her tireless work on behalf of Texas charter school students.

2. IS THE FUTURE OF NYOS AT RISK?
No, please rest assured that NYOS’ future is bright and full of opportunities. NYOS will not suffer because of a change in leadership. In fact, the change in leadership, in concert with the strategic planning process already in place, provides NYOS with the unique opportunity to consider the future direction of the School, and find a
leader who can implement the strategic plan and guide NYOS into the foreseeable future.

 

3. IS KATHLEEN GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED WITH NYOS FOLLOWING HER DEPARTURE?
Kathleen has dedicated 15 years to NYOS, and it will always be special to her. She intends to remain active as a member of the larger NYOS community—after all, once a Jag, always a Jag! 

 

In the meantime, Kathleen is committed to ensuring a successful transition of leadership and will remain in communication with the Board and the School’s leaders to provide support and ensure the continued and seamless leadership of the school.

4. WHO AT NYOS WILL STEP UP TO ENSURE THAT NYOS CONTINUES TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY AND EFFECTIVELY?

 

 

 

 

With input from senior leadership, it was determined that Dr. Seay would be hired part-time to serve as a caretaker for NYOS as we progress through the succession and transition process to hire and integrate our next executive director. Dr. Seay will provide support and counsel for senior leadership, fulfill legal and regulatory operational and reporting requirements which must be completed by an executive director, and consult with the Board’s succession and search committees to ensure an effective and efficient search for our next executive director. Dr. Seay’s role is one of support and guidance during this transition. Rest assured that everything about the mission and values of NYOS remains the same and will continue to remain the same during and after this transition.

 

5. HOW WILL THE NEW ED BE SELECTED?
Per the Texas Education Code, the selection of a successor ED is a non-delegable duty that is exclusively the Board’s. The selection process will be designed and implemented by the Board’s Search Committee.

6. WHO IS ON THE ED SEARCH COMMITTEE?
The search committee consists of two parent board members, two teacher board members, and a community board member. NYOS staff and administration understand the culture and community of NYOS and, while not officially on the search committee, will be an important resource for the committee and integral to the selection process and other aspects of the transition process.

7. IS THERE AN INTERNAL NYOS CANDIDATE THAT THE SEARCH COMMITTEE IS CONSIDERING?
Until the search process begins, we will not know for certain who will be applying. The search committee is committed to considering any and all qualified candidates, including anyone who has experience working with or for NYOS.

8. THE ED RESIGNATION ANNOUNCEMENT REFERENCED A SUCCESSION PLAN THAT IS BEING USED TO GUIDE THIS TRANSITION. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE SUCCESSION PLAN?
The succession plan is a document intended to facilitate and ensure a smooth transition by outlining key steps, tasks, and resources that are necessary, starting with interim leadership planning, initiating a search process, and ensuring the successful integration of the successor ED. As details related to the transition are finalized, they will be shared with the community. See Question #4 for updates to the temporary leadership plan.

9. WHAT IS THE INTERVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS GOING TO LOOK LIKE?
This search process coincides with NYOS’ strategic planning process. Our strategic planning partners are working with NYOS to help ensure the position descriptions incorporate the qualities the NYOS community would like in the ED and that the ED exhibits the qualities necessary to enact the strategic plan. In March 2024, the Search Committee hosted multiple town hall meetings with staff and the community, and requested input from staff and the community via surveys, to help create an ED position profile to guide candidate selection. The Search Committee will start the candidate screening and interview process in mid-April, using the ED position profile.

10. WILL THE NYOS COMMUNITY RECEIVE INFORMATION ON CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR THE POSITION?
Texas Government Code 552.126 exempts the names of applicants for the ED position from public information. Thus, the Board is unable to share information about candidates unless they are named as finalists.

 

During future board meetings, the Board will discuss the status of the ED hiring process and general information and updates in open meetings. However, any discussion that involves the sharing of personnel information legally must be taken to executive session which is a closed session per Texas Government Code 551.074. The Board will continue to update these FAQs with relevant information as it is available.

11. HOW CAN THE NYOS COMMUNITY HELP?
The NYOS community can best help by being patient and supportive in this period of leadership transition. Know that everyone involved is working diligently to find us the best possible leader. Continue to do what you always do: volunteer when appropriate, support the faculty and staff, and bring your children to school every day. The School will continue to operate normally with no disruptions.

12. HOW WILL THE NYOS COMMUNITY BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN THE SEARCH FOR THE NEW ED?
Because of the importance of the ED’s role in shaping the direction of the School, and because of NYOS’ culture of participative engagement, members of the broader NYOS community may aspire to have a voice in the selection of a successor ED. However, the constraints of confidentiality present limitations as to how public the process can be, as well as the number of people that may engage in the search process.

 

That being said, a large segment of the community has already supported the search process via their involvement in the strategic planning process. The research results, and an analysis of the attributes necessary to implement the strategic plan will figure heavily in the selection of a successor ED.

 

In March 2024, the NYOS community had the opportunity to share ideas, suggestions, and feedback on what the community is looking for in our next ED. The Search Committee hosted two town halls (one for teachers/staff and one for families) and sent out teacher/staff and community surveys to gather this feedback. The Search Committee has developed an ED position profile incorporating this input, which will be used in the candidate screening and
interview process.

13. WHAT IS THE EXPECTED TIMELINE TO HIRE THE NEW ED?
Ideally, NYOS would have a new ED to start the 2024-25 school year. The Board is committed to finding the right leader that aligns with NYOS’ vision for its future. If after the initial search process, NYOS has not found the right candidate, the Board will continue the process until the best person to lead NYOS into the future is identified.

14. HOW OFTEN CAN WE EXPECT TO GET UPDATES ON THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS?
The Board is committed to keeping the NYOS community updated on milestones and major developments in this process. The Board will also be updating these FAQs throughout the process.

 

Check regularly for updates!

15. WILL THE BOARD BE USING A SEARCH FIRM TO HELP WITH THE HIRING PROCESS?
As of right now, the Board does not plan to engage a search firm. The Board believes that the NYOS community knows best what is needed and required of the next ED, and believes it is possible to recruit qualified applicants without a search firm at this time. As the Board moves forward in the process, if there is not a sufficient pool of qualified applicants for the position, despite best efforts, the Board will consider engaging with a search firm in some capacity.

16. WILL THERE BE A FINANCIAL COST TO HIRING A NEW ED?
There will be a financial cost to hiring a new ED, but this cost will not disrupt day-to-day operations. Funds will be allocated from the NYOS cash reserves, and some money will be recouped for the unspent portion of Kathleen’s salary. The public can keep abreast of the cost of the transition during the budget amendment discussions of the Board during regular board meetings as posted on the public meeting agendas.

17. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR ME AND MY ROLE AT NYOS?
This transition should not impact staff or teachers’ day to day work, their resources, or ability to do their job. Parents/Guardians will see no changes in the operation of the School. The student focus of NYOS will not change. The leadership team, directors, and principals will remain committed to supporting staff and teachers in their work. The Board is committed to finding a new ED that aligns with NYOS’ mission, values, and culture.

18. IS THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF THE ORGANIZATION GOING TO CHANGE WITH A NEW ED?
No, the Board is already in the process of completing NYOS’ strategic plan for the next five years. The strategic planning process includes a planning team, with members made up of NYOS staff, leadership, board members, families, and students, which meets on a regular basis. The Board will seek a new ED that is aligned with NYOS’ mission, values, and culture. The new ED will play a critical role in implementing the plan and developing strategies to meet identified goals over the next five years.

19. WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PLAN?
The Board discusses updates on the strategic planning process at each board meeting and will share the strategic plan with the community when it is finalized later this spring. As the planning process progresses, be on the lookout for ways to engage in this process!

 

CHECK FOR UPDATES!
The Board is committed to providing timely updates on the transition of leadership. More questions and answers will be coming as the Board moves forward in this process. Check this page regularly for updates.

If you have questions, you may submit them here. Please note, individual responses will not be provided directly to questions submitted via this form. Instead, we will try to incorporate relevant questions and answers in future updates to these FAQs.