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Board approves RFP for superintendent search and names two-member ad hoc committee
Summary
The Del Mar Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees approved a request for proposals to hire an executive search firm to lead its superintendent search and appointed a two-member ad hoc committee to narrow candidate firms before public interviews on May 7.
The Del Mar Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees on April 23 voted to issue a request for proposals seeking a professional firm to conduct a search for the district’s next superintendent after Superintendent Dr. McClurg announced she will retire effective in July.
Board members said the RFP will be posted on the district website and distributed to known search firms. “By enlisting these services of an outside entity the board will be able to cast a wide net,” Superintendent Dr. McClurg said as she introduced the item.
Why it matters: The board said it wants a comprehensive, competitive process that allows for community input while acting promptly during a crowded superintendent hiring season. Board members discussed how many firms typically respond (staff estimated five to eight) and the timeline for interviews and selection.
Discussion and process details: The RFP will be available the day after the meeting and, per the timeline discussed, proposals will be due about a week later. A special board meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 7 to interview finalist firms in public; the board will select a firm and then work with that consultant to design the search process, outreach and a candidate profile.
Board members debated using an ad hoc subcommittee to screen proposals before that May 7 meeting so the full board’s public time can be focused on interviews. Supporters said a two-member subcommittee would expedite vetting, perform reference checks and recommend two to four finalist firms for the full-board interviews. Members also discussed mechanisms for the rest of the board to provide input without violating Brown Act rules.
Outcome and next steps: The board first voted to approve issuing the RFP. It then approved a motion creating an ad hoc committee of two trustees — Board Member Jiwo and Board Member Fitzpatrick — charged with recommending finalist firms and conducting reference checks before the May 7 meeting. The board president and superintendent will post the RFP and coordinate outreach to known search firms.
What the board did not decide tonight: The board did not select a search firm or set the profile for finalists; those items are to be decided after consultants apply and the ad hoc committee presents recommended finalists for public interviews.
Quotes: “I did inform the board that I would be retiring effective in July of this year,” Dr. McClurg said in opening the discussion about next steps. Board members urged a balance of speed and community input, noting that many districts are conducting searches at the same time and the candidate pool can narrow quickly.
Timing and public participation: The board reiterated that the consultant will plan community outreach and that there will be public opportunities to provide input once a search firm is selected. The May 7 special meeting is the scheduled time for finalist interviews.
Provenance: Board discussion and votes on the RFP and ad hoc committee occurred during item 8.1; the motion to approve the RFP passed in the public meeting and the motion to form the two-member ad hoc committee (members Jiwo and Fitzpatrick) also passed.
