Board selects HYA for superintendent search after debate over community outreach and recruitment approach

The Board of Education voted July 28 to hire HYA as the district's superintendent search firm. The board said it favored HYA's more comprehensive community‑engagement approach and approved staff direction to have HYA draft a contract for board approval in August. The decision follows public comment and board discussion about how firms conduct searches. Janae Diorio, a teacher and district resident, told the board she worried the firm’s method sounded "recruiting more than" accepting applicants and asked whether the firm would cost more than the district's last search. "I didn't see a cost on there," she said. Board members emphasized that community input — surveys, stakeholder interviews and in‑person meetings — was a priority. Several members said initial pricing from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) appeared lower but that add‑ons such as community interviews would push its total above HYA's proposal. Board members also discussed whether the firm would recruit candidates who live locally and whether it would later try to recruit superintendents it places. One board member said HYA reassured the board that it would not recruit candidates they placed for a set period (the firm’s representative reportedly referenced a two‑ or five‑year non‑poaching period during discussion), though the board did not record a contractual length in open session. The board moved and unanimously approved selecting HYA; individual recorded votes during the roll call showed all present members voting "yes." Administration said the $19,500 HYA proposal fits within the budgeted amount; staff confirmed HYA waived an additional contracting fee. The board directed staff to have HYA prepare a contract for consideration at the August meeting. Board members cautioned that final scope, recruiting parameters and pricing would be set in the written contract. The board president said the motion authorized staff to proceed with HYA drafting a contract that would be brought back to the board for formal approval.