Chris Garten Will Retire in june 2024. A search committee has formed to secure his SUCCESSOR.
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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.
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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
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Angie Apple
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Lair Kennedy
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Steve Baggot
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Meredith Ficks
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Janet Hill
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Samir Kulkarni
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Susan Marrs
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Chuck Mingo
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Beth Schiff
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Jen Stein
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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:
Position Statement
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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. |
Survey & RG175 Visit — September 2022
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.
Position Statement and Candidate Recruitment — October 2022-January 2023
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.
Semifinalist Selection — February 2023
The Search Committee will review dossiers of potential candidates and narrow the field to roughly 8-10 semifinalists.
Finalist Selection — March 2023
The Search Committee will interview each candidate and narrow the field to roughly 3-4 finalists.
Finalist Visit — April 2023
Finalists will visit the campuses and meet the Seven Hills community.
New Head Selection — May 2023
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
