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Board approves Leadership Associates contract for superintendent search; SCOE to underwrite cost
Summary
Trustees voted to hire Leadership Associates to conduct a superintendent search; the Sonoma County Office of Education offered to cover the expense and to support the district’s recruitment timeline.
The Santa Rosa City School Board voted on Oct. 22 to contract with Leadership Associates to conduct a superintendent search, with the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) offering to fund the work.
SCOE representatives said the county office recommended Leadership Associates because the firm has conducted hundreds of successful superintendent searches across California and can provide a structured process that begins with stakeholder input, an online survey, and meetings with education partners. Leadership Associates’ representative described a standard timeline: gather community input, draft a position description, recruit and vet candidates, provide application summaries and reference checks, conduct board interviews, facilitate validation visits for finalists if desired, and assist with contract negotiation.
Board members asked about community engagement and scheduling; Leadership Associates said the firm’s process is flexible and can integrate public listening sessions and targeted stakeholder meetings. Trustee Medina and others asked that community input and finalist validation be included in the plan. Board leaders said SCOE’s offer to pay for the search removes a potential budget barrier.
Board action: Trustee Medina moved to approve the Leadership Associates contract; Trustee De La Torre seconded. A roll‑call vote passed with unanimous “aye” votes of members present.
Why it matters: The district is mid‑transition and trustees said they want a robust, widely vetted process to find a permanent superintendent. SCOE support reduces immediate district cost, and trustees emphasized stakeholder involvement in defining the role and in finalist review.
Ending: Staff and Leadership Associates will schedule stakeholder sessions and return to the board with a finalized timeline and community engagement plan.
