Montgomery County Board approves HYA contract to lead superintendent search

The Montgomery County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a contract with HYA Associates to conduct the district's superintendent search, the board announced at its meeting. The vote followed a presentation by HYA lead consultant Dr. John Joseph and HYA associate Dr. David Lee outlining a recruitment timeline, community engagement plan and optional transition support for the selected superintendent.

HYA Associates presented a four-step process the firm said would run from an orientation and community engagement phase in January, through candidate recruitment and selection in February and March, with transition support beginning in April. "I think whenever you have a superintendent search, it's an opportunity to really galvanize the community about your shared moral purpose, to do right by the children that you serve," said Dr. John Joseph, lead consultant for HYA Associates.

The firm proposed producing a leadership profile based on interviews, focus groups and a stakeholder survey; delivering that profile in February; presenting a slate of candidates in late February; and holding three rounds of interviews in March. HYA said its standard package includes up to 32 individual or collective meetings and a research-based stakeholder survey intended to gather feedback from students, parents, certified and support staff, administrators and community partners. Dr. David Lee, an HYA associate and professor of educational leadership, told the board, "we're gonna bring you an outstanding leader."

Board members asked how community feedback would be returned to the board. HYA said it would provide written summaries of each focus group session and could offer QR-code-enabled feedback collection during candidate presentations so the board could review community reactions as part of deliberations. The firm also told the board it would provide a candidate dashboard and a complimentary district dashboard for the first year if the board chose to use it.

After discussion the board chair recommended approval of the HYA contract. A motion to approve the contract was moved and seconded; the board approved the contract by a showing of hands and the chair said the vote was unanimous. The contract cost and specific payment terms were not specified in the meeting record.

Board members who spoke during the presentation emphasized community involvement. "I think it's very important that we include the parents throughout this," said Miss Cloud, who urged including PTA representatives in engagement activities. Another board member asked HYA to review the district's recent curriculum audit as part of the leadership profile; HYA said the audit could be included as an addendum for candidates to review.

The board set its next regular meeting for Tuesday, January 14 at 5 p.m. and adjourned following the contract approval and announcements.