Head of School Search

With Dr. Ginger Hovenic’s planned July 2026 retirement from the Head of School position, the Sage Ridge Board of Trustees initiated a comprehensive search for the next permanent Head of Sage Ridge School. Together with our selected recruitment partner, IndySchool Consultancy, a well-established national and leadership search firm, we look forward to updating the community on the search efforts. Interested candidates and/or nominations are encouraged to submit a statement of interest and CV to IndySchool Consultancy at tim@indyschoolconsultancy.com.

Head of School Position Statement & Description

The Head of School Opportunity Statement provides information about the Head of School role and the school's legacy of Academic Excellence, Scholarship, Respect, Integrity, Courage, and Community in preparing curious, confident citizens.

Search Process & Timeline

May to August 2025: National Recruitment & Creation of a Candidate Pool

This critical phase of the Head of School search focuses on identifying and attracting a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates from across the nation. Sage Ridge School, in partnership with IndySchool Consultancy, is committed to conducting a comprehensive and inclusive search to find the best possible leader for our school.

This comprehensive national recruitment effort will ensure that Sage Ridge School attracts a strong and diverse pool of candidates who are passionate about education and excited about the opportunity to lead our school into a bright future.

Early September 2025: Semi-Finalist Interviews

Late September/Early October 2025: Finalist Interviews

The finalist interview stage marks the culmination of the Head of School search process. During this phase, the Search Committee will engage in extensive interactions with a select group of finalists to determine the individual who best embodies the qualities and vision needed to lead Sage Ridge School into the future.

Here's what you can expect during this phase:

Immersive Experience: Finalists will be invited to campus for a multi-day visit, providing an opportunity for in-depth engagement with the Sage Ridge community. This may include:
- Meetings with key stakeholders: Formal and informal interactions with Board members, faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni.
- Classroom observations: Observing classes and interacting with students to gain a firsthand understanding of the school's learning environment.
- Campus tours and community visits: Exploring the campus and surrounding community to gain a sense of the school's context and culture.

Social events: Participating in social events to experience the school's community spirit and build relationships with key constituents.

By mid-November 2025: Announce Appointment of the New Head of School

July 1, 2026: New Head of School Begins Tenure

Meet the Search Committee

The search committee is comprised of the following members of the Sage Ridge School community:

Eric Gangloff, Board of Trustees President and Chair; Search Committee Co-Chair; Parent
Karen Hovorka, Board of Trustees Vice President; Search Committee Co-Chair; Parent
Karl Hutter, Board of Trustees Treasurer
Matthew Hill, Board of Trustees; Parent
Emily Dolan, Assistant Head of School; Parent
Tonya Robison, Director of Finance and HR: Alumni Parent
Erin Mariano, Languages Department Head
Matt Morrison, 4th Grade Teacher
Becky Calder, Parent

Head of School Communications

Announcement of Search Firm & Committee
Head of School Notice of Retirement to Community

Announcement of Search Firm & Committee

Jan. 19 Announcement of Search Firm & Committee

Dear Sage Ridge Community,

We are pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has selected INDYSCHOOL CONSULTANCY, a well-established national and leadership search firm to guide us in our search for our next Head of School, who will assume the leadership of Sage Ridge School in July 2026. Tim Viands, President of IndySchool Consultancy, will be the team directly engaged with the Sage Ridge community.

Tim is deeply committed to honoring our legacy by dedicating significant time to get to know and understand Sage Ridge from various perspectives. This will allow him to recruit candidates who have both the experience and personal attributes to seamlessly transition to Sage Ridge and continue to lead our life-changing school. He will seek leaders who will honor our past while confidently stewarding Sage Ridge through its next chapter.

The search committee is comprised of the following nine members of our school community :

Eric Gangloff, Board of Trustees President and Chair; Search Committee Co-Chair; Parent
Karen Hovorka, Board of Trustees Vice President; Search Committee Co-Chair; Parent
Karl Hutter, Board of Trustees Treasurer
Matthew Hill, Board of Trustees; Parent
Emily Dolan, Assistant Head of School; Parent
Tonya Robison, Director of Finance and HR: Alumni Parent
Erin Mariano, Languages Department Head
Matt Morrison, 4th Grade Teacher
Becky Calder, Parent

Committee members bring diverse professional backgrounds and represent various constituencies across our school community.

To begin the process, the community had the opportunity to provide feedback and input to Tim via an online survey. Tim will be visiting our campus on January 23-24, where he will meet with a wide range of school community members to explain the search process and to listen and learn about all that is unique and special about our school. Your input in this process will allow our consultant to develop a deep understanding of both challenges and opportunities present at Sage Ridge today and in turn to craft a leadership profile to guide our search. Tim understands that there are many highly skilled school leaders, but Sage Ridge deserves a leader who is deeply committed to the values we hold dear and is poised to make a long-term commitment to continue the trajectory and tradition of this institution.

Sincerely,

Eric Gangloff
President and Chair, Board of Trustees
Search Committee Co-Chair

Karen Hovorka
Vice President, Board of Trustees
Search Committee Co-Chair

Head of School Notice of Retirement to Community

Dear Sage Ridge Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I write to share the news of my planned retirement a year in advance as Head of School in July 2026. Serving Sage Ridge School since November 2021 has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my career in education, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this exceptional Sage Ridge community. Stepping out of retirement to join you during a pivotal time for the school was a decision made with heartfelt commitment, and together we have achieved critical milestones, including celebrating our 25th anniversary, opening the E.L. Wiegand Student Activity Center, and successfully completing our re-accreditation process.

As I reflect on these past years, I am overwhelmed by the strength, dedication, and passion that define Sage Ridge. This community—its students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, founders and trustees—is truly extraordinary. At Sage Ridge, we empower future leaders, nurture curiosity, and cultivate character in ways that stand out in today’s educational landscape. The joy of seeing students discover their passions, excel academically, and develop into compassionate, driven individuals has been a constant source of inspiration for me. This school holds a special place in my heart and will remain so as I step into my next chapter.

Please be assured that I am fully committed to fulfilling all my duties as Head of School over the next year and a half. Consistent with the standards of excellence that Sage Ridge is known for, I will continue to work tirelessly in pursuit of the school’s strategic priorities and will ensure a seamless transition for my successor. My confidence in the school’s future could not be stronger. The school’s strong, values-based culture practicing the pillars, combined with the continuity provided by our dedicated Board of Trustees and the expertise and care of our esteemed faculty and staff, ensures that Sage Ridge will continue to thrive and fulfill its mission for years to come.

I look forward to spending this final chapter of my tenure celebrating the many achievements of our students and community. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me and for the collaboration and support that have made these years so meaningful. Sage Ridge School will always have my deepest respect and affection, and I am honored to have been part of its remarkable journey.

With gratitude and warm regards,

Dr. Ginger Hovenic
Head of School
Sage Ridge School