Norfolk board sets interim superintendent timeline, plans April resume review and April 22 interviews

The Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education on a regular meeting set a timetable for hiring an interim superintendent, agreeing to review candidate resumes at its next regular meeting and to hold interviews on April 22.

The board discussed an interim search and interview plan presented by Sherry Becker of the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB). Becker said NASB would post a brief interim-superintendent advertisement on the Teach in Nebraska website for about a week to 10 days, recruit candidates directly, collect resumes and reference information, and provide a recommended interview schedule and candidate materials to the board.

Becker told the board that the plan is to review resumes at the board's April 14 meeting and, if the board votes to invite candidates, to hold interviews on April 22. "The interviews are in public," Becker said, adding that the board would go into closed session both when reviewing applicants and after interviews to discuss any negative information and to negotiate terms. She described a typical interview slot as roughly 1 hour 15 minutes per candidate and said interim searches commonly produce two to three interviewees, though she expected up to about 10 total applicants at most.

The board discussed the composition of interview teams. Becker recommended a small leadership-team group of roughly nine people drawn from central-office department heads, principals (including two elementary representatives), and other administrators; the group would rotate among candidate interview stations and tours. Board members indicated they would prefer representatives (by position) rather than listing names, and asked Becker and staff to select a balanced set of elementary principals (one newer, one more veteran; one male and one female if possible) and to confirm participants before the interview date.

The board also discussed candidate confidentiality and process details. Becker said candidate names typically remain confidential until applicants accept an interview; the board would refer to candidates by letter (A, B, C) in open session and would use closed session to discuss sensitive reference information and negotiations. She asked the district to obtain a template interim superintendent contract from the school attorney ("Perry") so the board could review contract language before making any offer.

On logistics, Becker said she would provide a shortened set of interview questions for the board and solicit questions from the other interview groups (administrators and site representatives). Board members worked through Becker's packet and eliminated questions that were duplicative or more appropriate for a permanent search. The board indicated it wants an interim who is a strong communicator, visible and accessible in the schools, and willing to "move things forward" rather than simply serve as a placeholder.

Becker reviewed salary and contract variations used across the state, noting that most interim hires are paid near the district's existing budgeted superintendent salary and that benefit arrangements (insurance, retirement, stipends) are often negotiated case by case. She said NASB maintains a statewide superintendent salary survey and that contracts for Nebraska districts are publicly available on the Nebraska Department of Education website.

Procedural action earlier in the meeting: the board unanimously approved a motion to excuse member Steve McNally from the meeting. The chair announced the roll-call tally as five in favor and one absent.

Next steps Becker and the board agreed on: NASB will post the Teach in Nebraska ad, continue recruiting, and send candidate resumes to the board ahead of the April 14 meeting; district staff will request an interim contract template from the school attorney; Becker will draft a proposed interview schedule and share interview questions collected from the other panels with the board. The board earmarked April 22 for interviews and directed staff and Becker to finalize advertising, invitations and agenda language for the April 14 meeting.

Ending: The board adjourned after completing the workshop agenda.