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Board selects Michigan Association of School Boards to lead superintendent search
Summary
After presentations from three firms, the Saline Area Schools Board of Education voted Jan. 28 to hire the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) to conduct the superintendent search for the district’s retiring superintendent.
The Saline Area Schools Board of Education voted Jan. 28 to retain the Michigan Association of School Boards to conduct the district’s superintendent search, after hearing presentations from three firms and asking questions about recruitment, vetting and community engagement.
The decision followed presentations by Ray & Associates, the Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) and MASB, each of which described recruitment strategies, stakeholder engagement and candidate vetting. Jay Bennett, assistant director for executive search services at MASB, summarized his organization’s approach and emphasized its role as a membership organization for school boards: "We are your organization; we only serve boards of education," he said.
The board had scheduled the search because Superintendent Steve Lautch plans to retire at the end of June. The district’s ad‑hoc committee and board members heard 20‑minute presentations from each firm and asked detailed questions about: outreach to out‑of‑state candidates; confidential handling of applicants; stakeholder surveys and focus groups; background checks and social media screening; compensation benchmarking; and guarantees if a hire does not remain in place.
Rea & Associates (listed as “Ray and Associates” in the meeting packet) described a three‑level vetting process, 1‑way video screening and a national recruitment strategy; the firm’s proposal included a multi‑year guarantee and described more extensive vetting and higher fees. MLI outlined a timeline, site visits for finalists and a mentorship/coaching option. MASB highlighted its Revelus posting system that syndicates listings across other state associations and outlined post‑hire support including a follow‑up governance workshop and mentor contacts for new superintendents.
After discussion and a motion to select MASB, the board voted to approve MASB as the district’s superintendent search partner. Board members cited MASB’s statewide network, its membership role and the organization’s transparency in the process as deciding factors. Several trustees said they appreciated elements from all three proposals and asked that the winning firm incorporate the board’s preferences for extensive stakeholder input and careful vetting.
Votes at a glance - Motion to approve MASB as superintendent search partner — outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote; roll‑call not recorded in transcript). - Motion to approve amended closed‑session minutes of Jan. 14 (purposes: complaints/disciplinary action and collective bargaining) — outcome: approved. - Motion to approve the meeting agenda — outcome: approved. - Motion to approve the consent agenda — outcome: approved.
The board instructed staff and the chosen firm to begin scheduling stakeholder meetings, finalize a recruitment timeline and draft a public posting. Board members also asked that the firm coordinate closely with district staff on logistics, compensation benchmarking and any required closed‑session reviews for confidential internal candidates. No contract with a finalist had been negotiated by the end of the meeting.
