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Committee splits on hiring search firm for superintendent; 2-2 tie sends decision to full board
Summary
After an extended debate about whether to hire an external search firm, the Policy Committee split 2–2 on a motion to contract with WASB to handle the mechanics of a superintendent search; discussion covered firm roles, advertising scope and rough fee estimates.
The Manitowoc School District Policy Committee debated whether to hire an outside search firm to handle the superintendent search and split 2–2 on a motion to contract with the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) to manage solicitation, advertising and administrative mechanics of the search. The tie means the question will move to the full school board for final decision.
Discussion at length covered tradeoffs between doing the search in-house and hiring an outside firm. Supporters of hiring a firm argued outside agencies can run broad advertising, conduct background and reference checks, recruit candidates and do active outreach; speakers said vendors also differ in whether they screen out applicants who do not match the district profile. One committee member summarized, “WASB will give you all fluff to incompetence to PhDs. You’re gonna get it,” and contrasted that with other firms that pre-filter applicants based on a board-developed profile.
Speakers discussed cost estimates and search scope. Multiple committee members referenced firm fee ranges; figures mentioned in the discussion included a roughly $10,000–$15,000 range, another speaker cited $10,000–$12,000 and one referenced $12,000–$13,000. Committee members also debated geographic scope for advertising — local, northeastern Wisconsin, statewide or national — noting some argued Manitowoc’s community dynamics favor regional candidates.
Several speakers urged that, regardless of vendor choice, the board must develop a clear district profile, job description and salary range before launching advertising. One committee member said that task is essential and should precede substantive search activity; others proposed hiring an agent to handle the mechanics while the board refines its criteria.
The committee motion to hire WASB for search mechanics was seconded and then voted on; the motion received two votes in favor and two opposed, producing a tie. Committee leadership said the item will go to the full board for a final decision.
Committee members also discussed the practical services firms provide, including active recruitment of candidates identified as fits by headhunters, and noted tradeoffs between receiving every application (WASB’s approach) and having an agency pre-screen candidates to a shorter list.
No final contract was authorized at the committee level; the full board will consider the motion at its next meeting.
