Board selects McPherson & Jacobson to conduct superintendent search, will negotiate scope

The Craven County Board of Education voted July 15 to retain the executive‑search firm McPherson & Jacobson to conduct the district’s superintendent search. Board members reviewed proposals from five firms and discussed criteria including cost, experience with K–12 superintendent searches, stakeholder engagement and tools such as leadership profiling or psychological inventories. Board members praised McPherson & Jacobson’s recruiting approach and cited its placement stability, noting a presenter’s point that a majority of the firm’s superintendent placements had remained in position at least five years. Board member Lee Kirkman and others said the firm’s track record and active recruiting were decisive. Miss Kitzinger and one other board member noted they favored a North Carolina–based firm; the board discussed tradeoffs between national reach and local knowledge. A motion to accept McPherson & Jacobson’s proposal passed by roll call. Board members said the firm’s scope and fee schedule are negotiable; the board will work with the firm on a stakeholder engagement timeline and leadership profile and return with an updated timeline next month. Ending: McPherson & Jacobson will be notified and the board will finalize a contract scope and timeline, including community input steps and assessment tools for candidate screening.