School board hires executive-search firm HYA to run superintendent search; directors request transition timeline
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Summary
The board voted unanimously to authorize Board President to execute a contract with HYA to lead the search for superintendent Brent Jones's successor; directors asked for clearer transition timelines and benchmarks for when an interim should be considered.
The Seattle School District No. 1 board on April 23 voted unanimously to authorize board leadership to contract with HYA (HYA Leadership Partners) to run the superintendent search after interviewing three finalist firms.
Vice President Briggs moved the contract authorization and Director Mizrahi seconded; the roll call vote was recorded as unanimous in favor.
The vote followed several meetings at which the board evaluated proposals and interviewed finalists. Board members stressed the importance of including student, family and staff engagement in the search process, and asked the selected firm to help define timelines and decision points for an interim leader if a permanent hire is not completed before the incumbents departure.
"We need to be really clear about by what date we would pivot to an interim," Director Rankin told the board during discussion. "We want to pick the right successor. We don't want to pick a candidate just to pick a candidate."
Superintendent Brent Jones announced his upcoming departure earlier in the season; staff and directors said they expect the search firm to support public engagement, candidate vetting and confidentiality for finalists. Several directors requested the firms help in identifying "pinch points" in the timeline: dates when the board should formally reassess whether to continue searching for a permanent candidate or engage an interim superintendent while the search continues.
Miss Wilson Jones (board staff) called the roll for the final vote. The board recorded aye votes from Director Hersey, Director Mizrahi, Director Rankin, Director Sarju, Vice President Briggs, Director Clark and President Topp.
Board members said they expect the search firm to help plan the community engagement schedule and to advise the board on transition logistics; directors agreed staff would schedule follow-up conversations with the firm so the board can set firm milestones and clarify expectations for the incumbents transition period.
No candidate was selected on April 23; the boards action was limited to engaging a firm and authorizing contract execution.