Search process begins for new superintendent

The search is on -- the McCook Board of Education will be assisted in its quest for a new superintendent for $5,000, plus expenses.

At it's regular meeting Monday night, the McCook School Board unanimously voted to retain the services of the Nebraska Association of School Boards Superintendent Search Service to find a new superintendent. The $5,000 fee for NASB is based on enrollment, Board President Larry Shields said Monday night and that expenses could be capped at a certain amount if the board chose to do so.

Board member Mike Gonzales said that would be difficult to do, not knowing where the candidates could be coming from for interviews.

Expenses include travel, meals, phone, postage, copies and advertising.

The vacancy exists because of the May 2007 resignation of Dr. Donald Marchant, the previous superintendent. David Schley was hired in July 2007 for one year as interim superintendent and his contract was then extended another year to June 2009. He said that he is not interested in a permanent position as superintendent at this time.

Prior to Monday night's meeting, board members met at a special noon meeting Monday for a presentation given by Marcia Herring of the NASB. Herring nailed down a timeline regarding the search process, that board members agreed should be concluded by February and will incorporate the community in the interview process.

Concerning the timeline, board member Diane Lyons stated her preference that the search be concluded after the end of this year, so board members elected in the Nov. 4 general election could be part of the process.

Herring said the position will be advertised for one month with the Omaha World Herald, from Nov. 20 through Dec. 20 and also on the NASB website, along with other educational websites. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 2.

Costs of advertising on the website are free; costs of the Omaha World Herald classified will be split with at least three other school districts with superintendent vacancies, she said.

In response to a question by Board member Mike Gonzales at the noon meeting, Herring said the NASB website was the most successful in finding superintendents, with the Omaha World Herald as second. The Web site, which attracted 95,000 hits last year, will have a new featured installed that will allow applicants to apply for multiple positions, Herring added, but each applicant will still be screened by NASB based on skills, knowledge and other aspects designated by the school board.

All applicant information will be forwarded to school board members, she said, with candidate interviews conducted the last week of January.

These will include board members interviewing potential candidates at open meetings and also "stakeholder meetings," with members of the community, staff or administration that school board members have chosen by invitation.

These interviews will also be at open meetings but no questions will be allowed from the public, Herring said. Those that are invited but cannot make the meeting can e-mail their contributions to her at the NASB website or fill out a form that will be available.

The information at these meetings will be considered a public document and compiled and given to school board members.

The purpose of these 'stakeholder" meetings is to provide feedback for the board, Herring said, as well to engage the community in the search process. But these interviews will not include recommendations, rank the candidate or say who is to be hired, she stressed. That decision is ultimately up to the school board.

Board member Tom Bredvick said he liked the concept of community input.

"The more feedback we can get from various groups the better," he noted. Board President Larry Shields agreed that information is key and asked if there has ever been a "backlash" from administration if the board chose a candidate they didn't agree with.

Herring answered that it has happened but that "Your decision needs to be grounded in making what is the best decision for McCook Schools."

Board member Shane Messersmith commented that involving administration in the search process would "mend fences" and Herring concurred.

The "stakeholder" meetings can be tremendous in bridge building with the school and community, if there has been a weakness, she stated.

She added that she also likes to get students from the Junior and Senior High involved as tour guides when candidates visit the schools

"Students are very honest - they have nothing to hide," Herring pointed out.