Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Superintendent Search topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reopens superintendent search process, directs staff to solicit additional firms for Jan. 30 personnel committee presentations
Summary
After debate in personnel committee, the board rescinded an initial motion to select the North Carolina School Boards Association and voted to reopen the superintendent search process, instructing staff to solicit additional proposals and arrange in-person presentations at the next personnel committee meeting (Jan. 30).
The Cumberland County Board of Education reopened its superintendent search process after board members said they wanted more options than the single firm originally presented.
During the personnel committee portion of the meeting, the board considered item 13.01, which had recommended selecting the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) to conduct the superintendent search. A motion to select NCSBA was made on the floor but several board members said they wanted competitive options and in-person presentations from multiple firms before selecting a search firm.
Concerns and debate: several members said the matter had been presented to the committee as a "received" item and that the public should see more than one option. One board member noted a newspaper article had inaccurately characterized the committee's work and urged more transparency. The board discussed tabling and substitute motions; legal counsel (staff member) advised the board that if the main motion were defeated, the board could adopt a substitute motion directing staff to solicit proposals and schedule presentations.
Rescind and new direction: after discussion Mister West rescinded the original motion to select NCSBA. Doctor Hales then moved (and Ms. Warner seconded) to amend the agenda to allow action on the search process. The board subsequently voted to reopen the process and directed staff to solicit proposals from other superintendent-search firms and to schedule in-person presentations at the next personnel committee meeting on January 30. Doctor Hales moved to open the process and Ms. Musgrave seconded; the board voted and the chair recorded the vote as unanimous.
What the board directed staff to do: solicit additional proposals (the board discussed using a request for proposals process or advertising opportunities), invite firms to present in person at the personnel committee meeting scheduled for Jan. 30, and allow any respondent (including the NCSBA) to be eligible for selection after presentations.
Why it matters: reopening the process is intended to provide competitive options and public transparency in selecting a firm to lead the superintendent search. The board did not select a firm at this meeting; it set a timeline and process for receiving and hearing from additional firms.
Documentation: the meeting transcript records the motions, calls for additional proposals, and the board's direction to staff; the transcript does not include a formal contract or selection at this meeting.
