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Liberty board hires McPherson & Jacobson for permanent superintendent search, votes 5-0
Summary
After presentations from three firms, the Liberty Elementary District governing board selected McPherson & Jacobson to conduct the permanent superintendent search, citing cost, local presence and included background checks. The decision passed unanimously; board staff will schedule follow‑up to finalize contract details.
The Liberty Elementary District governing board voted unanimously on Nov. 13 to hire McPherson & Jacobson to run the district’s permanent superintendent search.
The decision followed presentations from Hazard Young & Associates (HYA), McPherson & Jacobson and a third firm. Board members said cost, local presence and the breadth of due‑diligence services distinguished McPherson & Jacobson from other finalists. Christopher Kenyon, who moved to approve McPherson & Jacobson, emphasized a desire to begin the search promptly.
McPherson & Jacobson representative Don Grotting told the board the firm uses a five‑phase process including stakeholder meetings, K‑12 Insight surveys, video interviews and detailed reference and background checks, and described an "all‑in" price for their package. "We wanna bring you the very best for the students in the Liberty School District," Grotting said. He also emphasized his firm's experience running searches in Arizona and their practice of providing applicants’ reference summaries and video materials for board review.
Hazard Young & Associates — presented by Sylvia Ybarra and Nola Wellman — described a four‑phase process with robust community engagement and a board portal for ongoing access. HYA's base fee was presented in the packet as $18,500, with optional enhancements and additional posting fees; HYA said travel is not included in that base fee and that travel costs would be capped. "So our base fee is 18, thousand 500," Ybarra told the board during her presentation.
Several board members said HYA’s portal and transition supports were attractive but that its higher potential out‑of‑pocket cost was a concern. Board member Kenyon highlighted the arithmetic: "The 1 previous hazard or HYA, their 18,500 base doesn't include the travel, which can be up to $10,000. That's 28 you know, that's $28,500," he said during discussion.
After discussion and a brief exchange about asking firms for a best‑and‑final offer, Christopher Kenyon moved to approve McPherson & Jacobson; Vice President Cirincione seconded the motion. The board voted 5-0 to hire McPherson & Jacobson. Sarah Schmidt, board president, said staff will contact the firm and schedule a follow‑up special meeting to finalize contract details and timelines.
Next steps include scheduling a special meeting with McPherson & Jacobson to finalize the contract, confirm the search calendar and agree the board’s stakeholder engagement plan.
