MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Yes it is. 
Discussion split off.
Additionally, I am going to assume that the back-and-forth above me has come to an end. As I have said before, which is also listed in ToS, College Confidential is not a debate society.
At the schools I am familiar with, there is little that changes immediately when a HOS changes. Schools are communities and the people in them stay constant, so the day to day keeps running. And changing a school often means changing how people do things, and that takes time. But over a tenure, a HOS can definitely change a school’s direction because they have responsibility for the strategic planning, aligning donors with support for that vision, etc. And they can definitely influence the culture. This is in the context of a retirement, not a crisis, when the transition is anticipated and planned.
I would guess that if the change was made in response to a serious problem, the expectation would be that change would be swifter and there would be support for that.
I’d actually love to hear more about the original topic. (No offense, but maybe you two can move this to PM). We’re looking at a few schools in transition and it concerns me. I tend to think first year not much happens as new HM feels things out, 2nd year band-aid gets ripped off, changes are made, some people are unhappy, 3rd year, those that are unhappy leave and the rest roll up their sleeves and get to work. None of this bothers me unless the new head ends up leaving in year 3 or 4 and then the whole cycle repeats. Seems some schools just haven’t found their match yet and keep repeating the cycle.
As a school committee member, I’ve gone through a talent search many times and wonder how it differs in the boarding schools world. Right now in the public sector, it’s slim pickings.
@vwlizard , my comment was to the original question and is based on BS. I think your assessment of the cycle can be correct. One question I would ask is about the process used to determine the new HOS. Ime, where things aren’t broken and the key constituents have meaningful input, the need to do it again in 3 years isn’t an issue. But if the trustees think a new head can change a truly flawed culture or single-handedly avert a train wreck, that’s less likely to leave everyone satisfied.
Mercersburg is in its second year with a new head. I think she is terrific. I understand that there is a group of parents who object to the way she has modified the rowdiest senior class traditions, but I am decidedly not among them.
@gardenstategal - There seem to be a few schools that have gone through three heads in 5 years. That includes an interim, which is understandable, but I can’t imagine that does much to move the school in a positive direction. I am really attracted to a few school specifically because they have a strong HOS. My fear is 6 months after my kid enrolls, they’ll leave.
I think it is important to look beyond any one person. How about the rest of the administrative team, the teachers? Is there a lot of turnover everywhere? Those are some things to think about. Ask about the 5 year plan for the school and what changes are planned.
What’s the skinny with Emma Willard’s new head? She sounds amazing and visiting parents have praised her… But what do the faculty and students think, I wonder…
Also: What do current SPS families think of the upcoming transition? Is this a positive or negative sign in terms of potential cultural change?
@GoatMama?
Finally: Is Tad Roach at SAS thinking of retiring soon now that his kids are older? @seekers?
I agree with doschicos, that it’s important to look at the broader culture (and the stability or instability found there; as well as the presence or lack of clear shared values and executing on mission)…
as for Tad at SAS, I have no information. He’s done the job with incredible passion for 20 years, and doesn’t show any hint of slowing down. Yes, his last kid is graduating from SAS this year, but that means 4 more years of college tuition. Seven years ago, the subject of his plans to continue came up at visit back, and he emphasized how much faith he had in the institution to carry on in the absence of any individual, but did reassure the crowd he had no immediate plans… I hope you get the chance to ask again at visit back this year!
@CaliMex Honestly, I don’t have a very good insight. We live so far that I only get to visit two or three times per year. I follow everything and keep informed but it’s still a long-distance relationship.
One thing that I really like is that this year the school started bimonthly web-based sessions for parents. The sessions are led by a panel of school faculty and administrators, and each session is on a specific topic (course selection, student leadership, etc.). The panelists present information, then the parents get to ask questions (questions can be sent ahead of time too). I feel that the school has been making a concerted effort to engage parents and keep them informed and involved. Also, my kid values the weekly LINC (Living in Community) classes that began two years ago, although I’m aware that not everyone sees them that way.
What I’m saying is I’ve seen lots of good development. The current HOS will be there for another year and a half, so the transition seems well planned and not at all abrupt. The school is in a good financial health (I just read the annual report), with sound alumni and parent support. There is no faculty turnover, and the kids seem happy as far as I can tell.
Here is what I wish would change though. In the aftermath of the Labrie case, I feel that the administration (perhaps under pressure by the BOT?) has been overly concerned with liabilities, sometimes to the detriment of student well-being. I understand that protecting the school’s image, assets, reputation, etc. is important, but we can’t afford to lose our identity in the process. SPS has long been known for its “freedom with responsibility” philosophy. It’s a place for the independent and more mature kid who functions best with fewer regulations and doesn’t need enforced study hours or lights-out time. This concept has been openly ridiculed in the media. Sadly, the administration seems to have reacted by restricting freedom, expanding rules, enforcing discipline. This heavy-handed approach is not true to the school’s mission and focus on compassion and empathy. It stands contrary to what attracted us to St. Paul’s to begin with. I feel that the students need to be trusted and allowed to learn from their mistakes, not be killed for them! Punishment is just not my idea of raising humans.
@GoatMama I agree with the sentiments in your last paragraph as that is what made/makes SPS unique and it was an attraction and a deciding factor in choosing the school. I hope you will express those thoughts to the administration so they know that they are valued by many members of the SPS community. They need to hear the opinions of people besides their lawyers. 
Thanks, @doschicos. I think I’ll do that. My daughter tells me that her LINC teacher, who also has a role in the school administration, has been very good at listening to students and receptive to their perspective. I feel comfortable sharing my opinion with someone like that. I heard through the grapevine that that person may also be playing a bigger role in the administration as roles start shifting in the next couple of years.
Our LDS is in a transition for HOS. The last headmaster we had drove the school into the ground both financially and academically. It is a K-12 school with about 600 students. I thought (as did the majority of parents) he’d be gone within a few years, but it finally took parents organizing town halls to voice their complaints, loss of over 20 teachers each year for 3 years straight, three lawsuits and the mass exodus of families (including us) to have an affluent parent pay his exit fee from his contract (the school no longer had the funds) to oust him. The school is now in complete disarray. Although the parents & faculty seem to like the interim headmaster, some of the “lackeys” the old headmaster hired are still in the upper school, which continues its path of self-destruction. Unfortunately, it takes more than a year to rebuild Rome…I think in those scenarios, more than just the HOS need to be replaced as the corruption seeped into the finest & deepest crevices. So thankful we found BS!