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Washington Elementary board discusses scope and timeline for permanent superintendent search
Summary
Board members discussed issuing an RFQ/RFP or using a consortium or co-op to hire a search firm, weighing local versus national searches, timeline options (RFQ 6'8 weeks), estimated consultant costs, and community engagement; administration will return with timelines and vendor options.
The Washington Elementary School District governing board discussed next steps for a permanent superintendent search during its Aug. 28 meeting, including procurement options, timeline, scope and community engagement.
Board members debated whether to pursue a statewide or national search and whether to issue an RFQ/RFP or use an existing procurement consortium (co-op) that already has vetted firms. Procurement staff said an RFQ could take roughly six to eight weeks; a consortium or co-op could shorten that timeline because a solicitation has already been completed.
Board member Bill Adams urged the board to consider in-state candidates while noting some districts have succeeded with out-of-state hires. Adams said an RFQ or national search can be costly, "I've already heard on the streets that if you go especially if you go nationally, between 50 and a 100,000." He recommended administration issue an RFQ so the board could compare firms' capabilities and costs.
Procurement staff (Danny Perrin) and another staff member, Mr. O'Brien, explained options: a local firm could conduct a national search, and cost and timeline ultimately depend on the scope, marketing and criteria the board elects. O'Brien said he would check whether local consortium agreements include superintendent-search firms and work with procurement to present options.
Vice President Lindsay Peterson said she favored starting with administration identifying interested vendors and then having the hired consultant lead development of a candidate profile, public input sessions and a timeline. Peterson sought significant community input during the search and said she would like a timeline that allows overlap and shadowing with current superintendent Dr. Hightower, who is under contract through June 2026, to permit transition time if the district hires before that date.
Board members described common search steps consultants provide: conducting a profile-of-a-superintendent exercise, marketing the vacancy, vetting candidates, narrowing to finalists and hosting public forums and staff presentations for finalists. Members asked administration to present a proposed timeline and vendor list for an action item at a future meeting.
No formal action was taken; the item was informational and board members asked administration to return with procurement options and a recommended critical path and timeline for the search process.
