Superintendent search process starts

Talk about it

The District 833 School Board is getting an early start in the search for a new superintendent to replace Tom Nelson after he retires at the end of June next year.

It will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, to look over a list of firms specializing in superintendent searches offered through the Minnesota School Boards Association.

The board will also set criteria for selecting a search firm before advertising for companies.

Nelson, who said it’s important to start the search process early, said the district has already received inquiries from several firms.

Board members Leslee Boyd, Marsha Adou and Ellen Ayers were elected to the board after Nelson was hired in June, 2005. Board members Jim Gelbmann, Denise Kapler, Tracy Brunnette and board chair Ron Kath were on the board at that time.

The board’s goal is to place ads for firms in December and January.

Among the decisions for the board is how much to spend with fees ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 and how many firms to interview.

For now, board members said they, individually, want to see all the search firm applications rather than name a board subcommittee to screen them.

During the 2005 search, the district paid Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates $25,000 plus expenses for firm representatives to fly from Chicago.

Other questions include whether to use the same list of preferred superintendent traits as before or come up with a new list.

The board must also decide if the search firm will be hired to review any prospective candidates already working in the district or whether interviews will done by Nelson.

Tags: education, nelson, district, 833, superintendent, search