Board members press superintendent over candidate resumes and interview policy

During the July 15 special meeting of the Policy and Personnel Committee, several board members raised procedural and transparency concerns about candidate interviews for executive and principal positions.

A board member told the committee the meeting was called on short notice and said, “this meeting was called rather abruptly into 36 hours. I'm still not in receipt of any resumes,” and argued that board members need resumes in advance to vet candidates. The speaker said board policy requires three candidates for executive positions and two to five for principal positions and expressed reluctance to vote without those materials.

Superintendent Dr. Royce Avery responded that he had followed legal advice and that attorneys had counseled limiting distribution of candidate materials to avoid legal risks. Avery said he sought counsel when he was unsure of historical practice and that he wants to comply with the law and with attorney guidance. He told the committee he would correct any missteps if they occur.

The committee moved into executive session multiple times to interview candidates for assistant superintendent roles, human capital and principal positions; the committee chair later said recommendations from those interviews would be forwarded to the superintendent.

Committee members suggested that disputes over procedure be handled through the union grievance process if necessary and asked that future practices be clarified and that the board receive candidate materials with adequate time when legally permissible.