Del Mar board approves RFP to hire superintendent search firm, forms two‑member ad hoc committee

The Del Mar Union School District board voted on April 23 to issue a request for proposals to hire a professional search firm to conduct a superintendent search and approved a two‑member ad hoc subcommittee to narrow candidates for interview.

Superintendent Dr. McClurg informed trustees earlier in the meeting that she will retire effective in July. The board approved an RFP to solicit firms that conduct executive searches; staff said the RFP would be posted on the district website and distributed directly to area firms the next day. Proposals will be due about one week after posting, officials said.

“By enlisting the services of an outside entity the board will be able to cast a wide net,” Dr. McClurg said in her explanation of the plan. Board members emphasized a need to move promptly because several districts are hiring this season; staff and trustees noted a compressed calendar while schools are still in session.

Trustees approved an ad hoc subcommittee of two board members to screen RFP responses, conduct reference checks and recommend a small set of finalists for public interviews at a special board meeting tentatively scheduled for May 7. Board members Jiwo (first name given in the meeting as “Jiwo”) and Board Member Catherine Fitzpatrick were appointed to the ad hoc committee.

The timeline the board discussed calls for posting the RFP the day after the meeting, receiving proposals within about a week, and inviting three shortlisted firms to present at the May 7 special meeting. Board members said the full board would interview finalists in public and that the chosen firm would then help design the community input portion of the superintendent search.

Votes at the meeting: the board took several formal actions during the April 23 session. - Request for proposals to conduct the superintendent search: motion approved. The RFP will be posted on the district website and emailed to known firms; proposals due about one week after posting. (Mover/second: not specified in the public record; outcome: approved.) - Formation of an ad hoc committee: the board approved a motion creating a two‑member ad hoc subcommittee (purpose: recommend finalist search firms for the May 7 special meeting and conduct reference checks). Members appointed: Jiwo and Catherine Fitzpatrick. (Outcome: approved.) - Award of architectural services contract for Ashley Falls modernization: board approved a contract recommendation to HMC Architects with an estimated fiscal impact not to exceed $1,400,000, funded through Fund 2139. (Outcome: approved.) - Receive and file: the Citizens Oversight Committee 2024 annual report was received and filed by the board. (Outcome: approved.)

Board members and staff described next steps: once a search firm is selected, that firm will help the board shape the candidate profile and community outreach, including public input sessions. The board reiterated that interviews of finalists will be held in public and that the entire search timetable will depend in part on the firm’s outreach and candidates’ availability.

Ending: Trustees said they would move forward quickly on the RFP and return to the public with finalists and a detailed search plan following the May 7 special meeting. The board also instructed staff to circulate the RFP and to provide an open channel for community input on the superintendent profile.

Votes at-a-glance and formal outcomes are recorded in the actions array below; the board indicated all votes carried during the meeting.