Woodland Park board hears two superintendent-search firm proposals, delays selection to June 11

The Woodland Park School District RE-2 Board of Education heard presentations from two superintendent-search firms and voted to postpone selecting a contractor until its June 11 regular meeting.

McPherson & Jacobson consultant Walt Cooper laid out the firm's five‑phase search protocol, a preference to engage stakeholders early and a recommended timeline that starts after the November board election and aims for a July 1 superintendent start. "My name is Walt Cooper. I'm with McPherson and Jacobson," Cooper said as he described the firm's national recruiting network and a two‑year placement guarantee: "We guarantee our placements for 2 — if you decide to fire the superintendent, the superintendent leaves for another search that we're doing, we come back and do it for free." Cooper told the board the firm typically charges $10,500 up front with estimated expenses that could bring the total to $12,900, and that the proposal includes third‑party background checks and video interview licenses at additional per‑candidate fees.

A second team led by Mike Gallegos (Garden Mariner Services/Coaching to the Next Level) and consultant Trent Brenmeier emphasized local Colorado connections, post‑hire coaching and a similar two‑year guarantee. Brenmeier said his team already had a pool of interested candidates and that the firm would help with marketing, candidate screening and onboarding support. "We're confident we can secure a diverse and quality candidate pool for you," Brenmeier said, and his presentation highlighted candidate assessments, social‑media screening of finalists and a post‑hire leadership summit for new superintendents.

Board members and staff asked both teams about recruiting practices, confidentiality for applicants and how stakeholder engagement is conducted. Both firms said they use online stakeholder surveys and mixed interview teams; Cooper recommended doing stakeholder engagement before the board builds its search blueprint, while Brenmeier recommended broad distribution and early marketing to maximize the applicant pool.

After the presentations the board moved, seconded and approved a motion to postpone choosing a firm until the June 11 regular meeting to allow trustees time to review proposals and follow up with the presenters. The board did not select a firm at the special meeting; the decision will be revisited on June 11. "We will have time to review their proposals and do some cross referencing," one trustee said during discussion.

Next steps: staff will circulate the firms' proposals and any supplemental materials; trustees may request follow‑up information or a special work session before the June 11 meeting if needed.