Board hires Association of Alaska School Boards to run superintendent search

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board of Education approved a contract on March 26 with the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) to conduct a superintendent search following the district’s recent leadership change. The motion passed 5-0.

Under the contract the district will pay AASB $14,790 plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses (travel, lodging and meals) to manage the recruitment, candidate vetting and interview process. AASB representatives joined the meeting by video and described their four-step process: (1) work with the board to clarify desired skills and attributes; (2) recruit nationally using a shared database and advertising; (3) run applicant review and finalist interviews, including community input; and (4) support the transition and negotiations with the selected candidate.

Joanne (AASB) told the board that the first board-facing meeting is critical: AASB will work with the board to create a recruitment brochure and a community survey to collect input on priorities for the next superintendent. Peter Koffner, also participating, said AASB typically allows all qualified candidates who complete an application and pass background checks to be presented to the board (AASB does not pre-eliminate candidates without board review) and stressed the value of an Alaska-based, statewide network to reach candidates.

Board members who spoke in favor of hiring AASB said the cost is reasonable compared with the risk and expense of a poor hire; they also said AASB’s statewide experience and established process will give the district a wider pool of qualified applicants and a structured way to gather community input.

Motion and vote: The board approved the contract with AASB for $14,790 plus reasonable expenses; roll-call votes recorded five yes votes and no dissent. The board asked administration to coordinate with AASB to schedule the first meeting and distribute the community input survey promptly.