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Head of School Search

Chris Garten Will Retire in june 2024. A search committee has formed to secure his SUCCESSOR.


Steve Baggott

 


Chris Garten 

On Sept. 13, 2022, Head of School Chris Garten formally announced his intention to retire in June 2024 at the end of what will be his 15th year of service.

In a letter to the community, Board Chair Steve Baggott thanked Chris for his “energetic and visionary leadership” and particularly for the role he has played in: building $45 million in new facilities, growing enrollment to 1,070, the highest in school history, placing school on solid financial footing, spearheading programmatic enhancements, significant progress in faculty compensation, and a dramatic increase in diversity of the student body.
 
Since Chris shared his plans with the Board well in advance, transition planning began nearly a year ago. Seven Hills has contracted with RG 175, one of the nation’s leading head of school search consultants. The Board has formed a search committee, which will be led by two outstanding trustees: Board Chair-Elect Lair Kennedy and Board Treasurer Angie Apple. The plan is to complete the search process during the current school year and announce Chris’  successor by June 2023 which will will help ensure a smooth transition to a new school leader on July 1, 2024.
 
Click here to read the announcement letters from Head of School Chris Garten and Board Chair Steve Baggott.

 


Search Updates

Stay up-to-date with the search for our new Head of School with these messages to the community: 

Jan. 31, 2023: Letter from Search Co-chairs Providing Update

Jan. 24, 2023: Results from the Head of School Search Survey

Sept. 23, 2022: Letter from Search Co-chairs Regarding Survey

Sept. 14, 2022: Letter from Search Co-chairs Angie Apple and Lair Kennedy

Sept. 13, 2022: Letter from Steve Baggott, Board Chair

Sept. 13, 2022: Letter from Chris Garten, Head of School


Head of School Search Committee 

Angie Apple
Search Committee Co-chair and Board Treasurer

Lair Kennedy
Search Committee Co-chair and Board Chair-Elect

Steve Baggot
Board Chair

Meredith Ficks
Trustee

Janet Hill
Director of Enrollment Management

Samir Kulkarni
Trustee

Susan Marrs
Assistant Head of School

Chuck Mingo
Trustee

Beth Schiff
Former Board Chair
 

Jen Stein
Former Board Chair
 

 


Search Consultants

Seven Hills School has partnered with RG 175 in our Head of School search. RG 175 is the premier placement firm serving independent schools around the world since 2002. They are committed to highly personalized leadership and governance consulting to schools, based on the values of integrity, inclusivity, knowledge, and flexibility. To reach our search consultants, please email John Farber at jfarber@rg175.com, Tony Featherston at tfeatherston@rg175.com, and Rebecca Upham at rebecca.upham@rg175.com. You can also find out more about them by clicking below:

JOHN FARBER

Tony Featherson

Rebecca Upham


Position Statement

RG175 produced a Position Statement based on the feedback from their campus visits and community survey. RG175 will use the Position Statement to actively recruit candidates. Click here to view the Position Statement.

 


The Search Committee set up an online survey to allow our full community the opportunity to be involved in this search. Everyone was encouraged to participate and provide their unique perspective on what traits matter most in our next leader. Additionally, RG175 visited Seven Hills in late September to meet in small groups with every member of faculty, staff, and administration as well as some parents and students. The information gathered was carefully considered in framing what we are looking for in our next Head of School. Click here for an overview of the response data.

RG175 produced a Position Statement based on the feedback from their campus visit and community survey. RG175 will use the Position Statement to actively recruit candidates. Click here to view the Position Statement.

The Search Committee will review dossiers of potential candidates and narrow the field to roughly 8-10 semifinalists.

The Search Committee will interview each candidate and narrow the field to roughly 3-4 finalists.

Finalists will visit the campuses and meet the Seven Hills community.

The Search Committee will recommend its selection to the Board of Trustees for final decision and announcement.


News Coverage

Sept. 14: “Seven Hills launches global search for new head of school as Chris Garten plans to retire” – Cincinnati Enquirer

Sept. 14: “Seven Hills School chief Chris Garten to exit; search underway for replacement” – Cincinnati Business Courier

Sept. 14: Seven Hills Press Release