WHO IS ON THE SEARCH COMMITTEE
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SEARCH COMMITTEE?
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE BOARD?
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF CURRENT PARENTS, STAFF, AND ALUMNI?
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE CONSULTANT?
WHY DO WE NEED TO GO THOUGH SUCH AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS?
HOW WILL THE SEARCH COMMITTEE COMMUNICATE WITH THE ECA COMMUNITY?
WHAT SPECIFICALLY ARE WE SEEKING IN A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/HEAD OF SCHOOL?
WHO IS LEADING THE SEARCH?
The Emmanuel Christian Academy (ECA) Board of Education is responsible for selecting and hiring the Executive Director/Head of School. To facilitate the search process, the ECA Board has created a Search Committee (chaired by ECA Board Chairman, Jon Decker) to conduct the search along with the Consultant Lee Reno and, at its conclusion, will recommend an Executive Director/Head of School candidate to the entire ECA Board for review and approval.
WHO IS ON THE SEARCH COMMITTEE?
The following are the Board appointed members of the Executive Director/Head of School Search Committee:
Becky Peyton - current ECA member of the Board, parent of 3 ECA graduates, Tax Director at Clark Schaefer Hackett CPAs & Advisors
Kara Pinkleton - current ECA member of the Board, current parent of an ECA student, former teacher
Jason Naill - current ECA member of the board, Pastor at Legacy Community Church, former teacher at ECA
Jon Decker - current Chair of ECA Board, Active Duty Army Officer, former Assistant Principal, current parent of ECA students, husband of ECA teacher, 2005 ECA graduate
Christian Victor - past ECA member of the board, parent of 4 ECA graduates
*John Essig - current ECA Executive Director since Spring 2018, ECA Pastoral Advisory Board 1998-2017, parent of ECA graduate
*Dan Moore - current ECA Principal/Director of Education, parent of 3 ECA graduates
*Non-voting members of search committee
We thank each of these individuals for their commitments to ECA and its future and their willingness to contribute their expertise and time to this important process.
HOW LONG WILL THE SEARCH LAST? WHEN DO YOU EXPECT TO HIRE THE NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/HEAD OF SCHOOL?
Typically, a Head of School search takes around 6-9 months. Our goal is to select a new Executive Director/Head of School by Spring 2026, who will start working on July 1, 2026.
The timing of the search process for an Executive Director/Head of School is important. Unlike some other roles, an Executive Director/Head of School search is most effective when launched in the Fall with candidate selection occurring in the first few months of the calendar year. Many Heads of School, like teachers and other administrators, are under contract. (See the last question on the list)
Those contracts are generally renewed and signed in the Spring. The search will continue until a new Executive Director/Head of School is found.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SEARCH COMMITTEE?
The Executive Director/Head of School Search Committee, along with the search Consultant, is tasked with directing the new Executive Director/Head of School search process from start to finish. The Search Committee will coordinate input from the ECA community and work with the Consultant to develop the detailed job/position profile called an Opportunity Profile. They will also organize and conduct interviews with the candidates. At the end of the process, the Search Committee will present a qualified candidate(s) to be appointed by the Board of Education. Another major function of the Search Committee is keep our community informed throughout the process, while also ensuring the confidentiality of the candidate.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE BOARD?
The selection of the Executive Director/Head of School is one of the most important duties of our Board members, and we are organized and prepared to find an inspiring, extraordinary leader who is passionate about Christian education.
The Board supports the Search Committee and refers all inquiries of the search to the Chair of the Search Committee. The Board will maintain complete confidentiality throughout the process. As the process draws to completion, the Board will review the recommendations of the Search Committee, formally resolve to pursue a candidate, bear responsibility for negotiating any terms of employment, and ultimately appoint the new Executive Director/Head of School.
What is the role of current parenTs, staff and alumni?
Parents as well as administrators, teachers and staff will be invited to participate in focus groups enabling you to speak into the process. Most important of all, we invite all parents and students to pray for God’s wisdom to lead us in selecting our new Executive Director/Head of School.
What is the role of the consultant?
Conduct a “pre-search audit” which are focus groups with the Board, faculty/staff, parents, and administrators to create an audit.
Develop and maintain a working network and knowledge of the “talent pool” and the search landscape through advertising, networking, and personal contact to include networks through ACSI.
Post the position on job sites.
Create an application form.
Work with the Board to create the timeline.
Vet applicants.
Conduct candidate interviews with the Search committee.
Perform comprehensive reference checks.
Conduct Ministry Insights and DISC personality profile assessments.
Advise Search Committee on narrowing down to final candidates.
Assist the Board with the final decision, which the Board ultimately makes.
Advise on how to integrate the new hire successfully.
WHO IS THE CONSULTANT?
Lee Reno has been working in and with Christian schools since 1971, serving as a teacher, coach, Curriculum Department head, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent with Dayton Christian Schools for 39 plus years. He has served as Interim Head of School at 3 different schools, led and served on 40 plus ACSI accreditation teams, consulted with Christian schools and boards in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and New Mexico. He also served as ACSI’s Ohio Legislative Advocate from 2015-2024 and currently is a Field Director for ACSI, along with consulting.
He can be reached at candidates@ecaoh.com or at (937) 946-4485.
WHY DO WE NEED TO GO THROUGH SUCH AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS?
It is important to take this opportunity to understand and clarify the leadership qualities that are needed in the next leader of ECA. We want to take this opportunity to listen and learn what is needed from our next leader so we can describe it to candidates and more easily identify the right person when they engage with us in the interview process. Finding the right person for this role is a difficult task. There are huge blessings when God’s person is at the helm. Conversely, history demonstrates the challenges when the hiring process fails.
HOW WILL THE SEARCH COMMITTEE COMMUNICATE WITH THE ECA COMMUNITY?
Updates will be provided on this ECA web page as well as through emails.
WHAT SPECIFICALLY ARE WE SEEKING IN A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/HEAD OF SCHOOL?
In June, 2025, our present Executive Director, John Essig submitted his resignation effective on June 30, 2026. We are grateful that he let ECA know a year in advance to allow us the time to prepare and conduct a thorough and planned, deliberate search. We will engage segments of our community to develop a candidate profile that reflects ECA’s strong and distinct Christ-centered culture and values, “family-style” community, and with an eye toward our future goals. The process will provide a valuable opportunity to learn from our community about the qualities we seek in a new Executive Director/Head of School.
WHAT IS THE SEARCH TIMELINE?
There are 4 phases of the Executive Director/Head of School search:
The PRE-SEARCH
The SEARCH
The SELECTION
The TRANSITION
The following is the approximate estimated timeline. ECA will search for God’s person for the role of Executive Director/Head of School until that person is found.
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Emmanuel Christian Academy
2177 Emmanuel Way | Springfield, OH 45502
Tel: (937) 390-3777
Email: info@ecaoh.com
Non Discrimination Policy: The Emmanuel Christian Academy recruits and admits students of any race, color, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities. In addition, the school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or ethnic origin in administration or its educational policies, scholarships / loans / fees /waivers / educational program and athletic / extracurricular activities. In addition, the school is not intended to be an alternative to court or administrative agency ordered, or public school district initiated, desegregation.
Emmanuel Christian Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or ethnic origin in the hiring of its certified or non-certified personnel.