McMinnville School Board selects two firms as finalists in superintendent search

McMinnville School Board of Directors voted May 2 to advance two search firms as finalists to support the district—s superintendent recruitment, approving McPherson & Jacobson LLC and Northwest Leadership Associates by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

Board members spent the meeting discussing whether to run an interim-only search that could use internal candidates, or an expedited interim followed by a full external search next year. The board also reviewed a scoring rubric and proposals from six vendors before naming the two finalists and scheduling finalist presentations next week.

Why it matters: The board must place an interim superintendent by July 1 and subsequently run a permanent search next year. Choosing a search firm determines timing, candidate outreach (internal and external), and the level of public engagement the district will use in both searches.

Discussion and context Board members debated two main approaches: (1) recruit an interim superintendent from inside the district, or (2) hire a firm to run an expedited interim placement and then a separate full search for a permanent superintendent next year. Several directors voiced strong support for considering internal candidates for the interim so the district could "hit the ground" quickly with someone who already knows operations; others, citing legal counsel and best-practice concerns, urged that internal candidates be pooled and vetted alongside external candidates.

Legal counsel Lisa Freely—s guidance was cited repeatedly during the meeting; directors summarized her guidance as recommending that internal candidates be included in a pooled process with external candidates unless the board transparently decides otherwise. Board members also emphasized transparency and public engagement after criticisms of the district—s prior search.

Scoring and finalists Board members used a rubric to score proposals. The two highest-scoring firms were McPherson & Jacobson (summary weighted score about 8.86) and Northwest Leadership (summary weighted score about 8.31), according to the scoring spreadsheet presented at the meeting. Directors noted differences in the proposals: McPherson & Jacobson provided retention data showing long-tenure placements and offered a warranty to repeat an interim placement at no charge if the interim left within two years; Northwest Leadership was noted to have been clearer about interim timelines and also offered a reduced or waived interim fee if selected to run the full search.

The board heard that search proposals are public information and that the interim hired through the expedited process could be considered for the permanent position; the board also may select different firms for the interim and the permanent searches.

Board direction and next steps The motion approved by the board directs staff to treat McPherson & Jacobson LLC and Northwest Leadership as finalists. The firms have been asked to present to the board next Wednesday prior to the budget meeting so directors can ask clarifying questions about interim timelines and process details before the board names a single firm to run the interim placement.

Board members also worked on an "interim candidate characteristics" draft the consultants requested to help speed posting. Directors asked staff to gather each board member—s top two requested additions; common requests included explicit experience leading K-12 instruction and district operations, a track record of collaboration with Hispanic/focal populations, fluency or working knowledge of Spanish (preferred but not required), and experience writing or aligning strategic plans.

Vote and formal action At the end of the meeting Director Partita moved to "approve the selection of search firm finalists, Northwest Leadership Associates and McPherson & Jacobson LLC as presented." Director Bader seconded. On roll call the board voted Aye: Partita, Anderson, Warmbier, Bazan, Volmer, Bader and Towery. The motion carried, 7-0.

What the vote does and does not do The vote selects finalists for additional interviews and does not, by itself, contract a firm to run the interim placement. Directors and staff said the finalists will return with presentations and more details before the board takes a contracting action. Staff noted they had already informed the firms of the process and would share board questions in advance.

Meeting logistics and public access Staff confirmed the proposals already are available in the board—s public materials and that the board asked staff to compile and circulate any specific questions directors want finalists to address in their Wednesday presentations.

Looking ahead The board expects finalist interviews next week and to use the interim placement period to begin a full permanent search next year. Directors said they would finalize candidate characteristics and engage the community during the permanent search.