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Board discusses superintendent search options, timeline; MABE, private firms and interim plans on table
Summary
Following Superintendent Salins’ announcement that she will retire at the end of the school year, the board reviewed search options (MABE, private search firm, in‑house search) and a timeline aimed at appointing a superintendent by July 1. The board asked staff to schedule presentations from search providers.
After Superintendent Dr. Salins announced her planned retirement, the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education discussed options for finding her successor during the Jan. 22 work session.
Board members and staff outlined three principal options: hire Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) consultants to run the search, retain a private executive search firm, or manage the search internally without an outside firm. Staff said MABE and private firms typically handle candidate sourcing, community input (surveys and stakeholder meetings), reference and background checks, and logistics for finalist visits. An in‑house search would keep those tasks internal but requires staff capacity and additional internal coordination.
Staff presented a suggested timeline that would permit a new superintendent to begin on July 1, 2025 — the start of the next contract term — if the board completes finalist interviews and contract negotiations in May or early June. The timeline presented: - February: board decides method (MABE, private firm, or internal) and begins community input; staff suggested having search providers present to the board at the Feb. 5 meeting. - March–April: finalize candidate profile and advertise the vacancy; accept applications and begin preliminary screening. - Mid‑April–May: screening interviews, reference and background checks; announce finalists and hold community engagement sessions with finalists. - Early June: final board interviews and selection; negotiate and confirm contract so a new superintendent can start July 1.
Staff also discussed the statutory requirements for appointing a county superintendent and the role of the state in approving appointments. The board noted there are other Maryland searches happening simultaneously and that interim appointment options exist if the board needed more time; state statute allows an interim appointment if a county has not placed a permanent superintendent by the statutory July 1 deadline.
Board action and next steps: The board asked administration to invite MABE and at least one private executive search firm to present proposals at an upcoming meeting (staff agreed to schedule those presentations for the Feb. 5 meeting). The board also discussed costs and the fact that search services would require a budget allocation; staff said each firm would provide a price quote for services.
