Northshore board narrows superintendent search to three firms, schedules interviews next week

The Northshore School District Board of Directors voted to invite three search firms — McPherson & Jacobson, Ray/Rea and Associates, and Hazard Young Attea (HYA) — to interview next Monday as potential partners in the district’s superintendent search.

President Amy Cast opened the special meeting saying the board’s primary purpose was to review proposals and complete the scoring rubric that will guide selection. “We have sent out a request for proposals, and published it and have received proposals for search firms who are…to assist the school board with the superintendent search,” Cast said.

The board spent the meeting reviewing seven proposals and discussing the criteria they will use to score firms, focusing on several recurring concerns: prior experience conducting superintendent searches, the firms’ recruiting networks, diversity and equity outreach, proposed timelines, and the transparency and cost of optional add-ons such as social-media background checks and travel expenses.

Director Sandy Hayes emphasized the value of firms that have done superintendent searches before, noting they “know where a potential superintendent would be looking” and bring established relationships. Several directors echoed that preference, saying they wanted firms able to “hit the ground running” rather than firms without a track record in education searches.

Members praised Hazard Young Attea for a detailed, experienced proposal that included candidate folders and outreach strategies, while McPherson & Jacobson drew positive comments for placement history in districts comparable to Northshore. Ray/Rea and Associates drew support from several directors for visible diversity among staff and for having bilingual capacity, which directors said could help with community engagement and outreach to underrepresented candidates.

Board members raised follow-up questions to pose at interviews, including how firms would involve students and families in building a superintendent profile, the firms’ approach to diversity, equity and inclusion in recruiting, how travel and add-on costs are calculated, and whether firms will provide translation or other accommodations as standard practice.

After discussion the board took a single formal action: a motion to invite McPherson & Jacobson, Ray/Rea and Associates, and Hazard Young Attea to interview next Monday. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; board members present voted in favor and no opposition was recorded.

The board also agreed to finalize individual scoring sheets, to convene interviews next week with time for each board member to ask at least one prepared question, and to provide purchasing staff support in scoring the cost component of proposals. President Cast said she will send email updates to bargaining partners and PTSA leaders as the process proceeds.

The board adjourned the special meeting to begin a study session on district goals. Directors noted that written proposals can differ from firms’ in-person presentations and that the interview stage is critical to assessing fit.