Marion County board discusses superintendent search process, schedules consultant briefing

The Marion County School Board on May 8 debated how to conduct a search for a new superintendent, weighing the cost and structure of a national search firm against district-led surveys and multiple local town halls. Chair Conrad said consultant Rick Collins is available to present on May 22 and proposed inviting him to describe “the ups and the downs” of the search process.

Board members said they want broad community input before deciding whether to hire a firm. The board discussed running an electronic survey, scheduling multiple town halls (one suggestion was three), and holding district-level town halls so each board member could gather input from their constituents. Dr. Campbell said the district could do some of the outreach itself to reduce cost but emphasized the need for wide participation: “but I think it's imperative that if we are moving in the direction to not only have some kind of electronic survey, but also to have at least 3 different town halls.”

Why it matters: The board is deciding how to balance cost, participation and impartiality while replacing the district’s chief executive. Several members said a third-party firm can ensure neutral administration and professional tabulation of qualitative feedback; others urged quicker, locally organized engagement while the issue is current.

Most members favored hearing from an experienced consultant before finalizing a process. Dr. James framed the choice as one the community should influence: “Do they want us to hire local? Do they want us to do a national search? Do they want us to sit steady and see how it goes?” Several members recommended the board assemble specific survey questions that could be used by the district or a hired firm, emphasizing the difference between a preliminary “do you want a national search” question and a later, in-depth candidate-characteristics survey.

Board members discussed timing and logistics: several said summer would lower participation, while others argued acting sooner would capture current interest. Concerns included avoiding overlap with school events when scheduling evening town halls and allowing sufficient public notice before meetings. Attorney Powers reminded the board that an outside firm may prescribe its own engagement schedule and methods, which could conflict with a board-designed approach.

Financial clarifications were limited but repeated: members referenced prior searches costing in the low five-figure range. Chair Conrad said, referencing prior work, that “5 years ago, the cost of a national search was 40,000, 40 5 thousand and 30 4 thousand,” offered as a ballpark for planning.

The board did not take a formal vote but the chair said Mr. Collins is available on May 22 and proposed inviting him; members expressed general agreement. Staff were asked to upload Collins’s materials and prior search documents for the May 13 special meeting and to prepare an RFP discussion item if the board wishes to pursue procurement after the consultant briefing.

The discussion also covered revising the superintendent job description later in the process, with members noting that job descriptions sometimes include physical/OSHA-related language and that any statutory references in the current description should be preserved. The chair said she will follow up with Collins and with staff to upload prior search documentation and any presentation materials for the community to review before the consultation.

What’s next: The board will hear Rick Collins on May 22; members asked staff to upload prior search materials and to draft a possible RFP item for future meetings. No formal procurement decision was made at the May 8 session.