March 22, 2023

Dear Willow School community:

I am pleased to announce that the Advocates for Arts-Based Education has selected Nicolette London as CEO of The Willow School, effective July 1, 2023. 

Following several months of work, our dedicated Search Committee, guided by a national search firm, presented three outstanding candidates to the Advocates for Arts-Based Education Board of Directors last week. The three finalists participated in interviews, toured our campuses and presented to our community on Thursday. The Board then voted on our school’s CEO at a Special Meeting this evening.

It has been a pleasure to engage the school community and all interested stakeholders in the process of selecting the next CEO to lead our school. We value the participation of those who shared with us their hopes and expectations for school leadership in guiding The Willow School into its future.

Choosing a leader to take our school forward is a tremendous responsibility and one we did not take lightly. We thank you for your support and participation.

Sincerely,
Gary Solomon, CEO Search Committee Chair and AABE Board Chair

March 14, 2023

Dear Willow School community:

Last week the CEO Search Committee concluded the online interview process and narrowed the field of candidates to three finalists. We are pleased to recommend the following candidates to the full Advocates for Arts-Based Education (AABE) Board for consideration:

Dr. Tony Burks II

Ms. Nicolette London

Mr. Jason Ulbrich

On Thursday, March 16, 2023, the AABE Board will meet to interview the candidates at the high school campus. The Candidates will have an opportunity to tour our campuses and attend Q&A sessions with faculty/staff, parents and students from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the high school campus. Details of this process will be available on the school website and calendar. The Board expects to deliberate and vote on the CEO position on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 5:00 pm.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our Search Committee and to everyone who has provided input as The Willow School prepares for one of the most significant transitions in its history—the selection of a new CEO to lead our school forward.

Sincerely,

Gary Solomon, CEO Search Committee Chair

February 13, 2023

Dear Willow School community:

At last week’s meeting of the Willow CEO Search Committee, a member of the public inquired as to the extent of local outreach to potentially qualified educators.  The Committee’s search consultant made an extensive outreach to potentially qualified local area educators.  Nonetheless, with the benefit of helpful public comment, the Willow CEO Search Committee has decided to postpone its public meeting that had been set for February 14, at 4 p.m., so as to permit advertisement of the position in local media and other outlets.   After an appropriate delay, the Committee will then consider additional applications, if any, transmitted to the school before further narrowing the field of applicants.

Sincerely,

Gary Solomon, CEO Search Committee Chair

February 9, 2023

Dear Willow School community,

At its meeting on January 18, 2023 at the Brimmer Campus, the Willow CEO Search Committee considered the qualifications of 26 applicants proposed by the Committee’s search consultant.  After discussion, deliberation, and public comment, the Committee voted to move forward with further consideration of the following seven semi-finalists, listed in alphabetical order:

Tony Lamair Burks II

Nicolette London

Dr. Samuel D. Paoli

Charles Schlegel

Jason A. Ulbrich

Walter Warner

Matthew David Williams-George

At its meeting on February 7, 2023 at 4 p.m. at the Brimmer Campus, the Committee, following public comment, voted to go into Executive Session to discuss the professional competence of these applicants.  The Committee will hold additional meetings on February 9 at 1:45 p.m. and February 13 at 1:45 p.m., both at the Brimmer Campus (Freret Street).  At those meetings and following public comment, votes will be taken to go into Executive Session in order to conduct zoom interviews of semi-finalists as to their professional competence.   Then, on February 14 at 4 p.m. at the Brimmer Campus (Freret Street), the Committee will meet in a public session to further deliberate, take public comment, and vote on a set of finalists to be submitted to the full Board of Directors.

Sincerely,

Gary Solomon, CEO Search Committee Chair