Chippewa Falls board hires search consultants, sets timeline and $210,000 salary projection for superintendent recruitment

Chippewa Falls, Wis. — The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District Board of Education agreed on a plan to recruit a new superintendent, engaging McPherson & Jacobson to manage a five-phase search that includes community listening sessions, targeted stakeholder interviews and two rounds of finalist interviews.

"We are hiring. We're looking for a new superintendent," said Damien LeCroy of McPherson & Jacobson, who opened the consultants' presentation to the board. LeCroy outlined a data-driven search process used in other districts and said the district would receive a written handout summarizing the proposed timeline and candidate attributes.

The consultant team proposed a contract cost not to exceed $22,775 to run the district's search. LeCroy described the expense as "an investment in the future of the school system," noting the firm's retention statistics from recent searches.

The board and consultants agreed on a public engagement schedule that includes a districtwide survey (to be launched Aug. 21), stakeholder listening sessions on Sept. 10 and a board review of stakeholder input at the Sept. 23 meeting. The consultants proposed posting the vacancy for roughly one month, with a recommended advertising window from about Sept. 24 to Oct. 24. Reference checks, finalist video reviews and interview logistics were planned for November and early December.

The consultants outlined a two-stage interview sequence: initial interviews proposed for Nov. 17–20, followed by finalist interviews between Dec. 1 and Dec. 11. The board would make a public selection at its Dec. 16 meeting, with a projected start date for the incoming superintendent of July 1, 2026.

The board also discussed the qualities to prioritize in candidates. Consultants presented a draft list — strategic vision and execution within a coherent governance framework; strong community engagement; student-focused leadership; and data-driven decision-making — noting that an AI-assisted mashup of the district strategic plan and previous input had been used to surface possible attributes. Board members debated wording and emphasized experience engaging families, local businesses and community organizations as part of the candidate profile.

On compensation, consultants presented benchmarking from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and national AASA reports and proposed a salary projection of $210,000 with an estimated fringe benefit target of $59,000 (a total compensation figure near $269,000). Board members debated whether to publish a range (the discussion included figures such as $200,000–$220,000) but several members expressed support for posting a $210,000 projection "commensurate with experience."

Routine items and short formal actions taken at the meeting included approving the open-session agenda, approving the executive-session agenda and approving new hires, transfers and resignations as presented. The meeting record shows a motion to move into executive session to review specific employment actions under state statute; that motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote.

What happens next: the board asked administration and the consultants to coordinate stakeholder lists and invitations (administration will work with board liaison Angela to distribute materials). Consultants will finalize advertising and logistics for the timeline agreed on in September. The board will revisit the posting language and compensation projection when it reconvenes to review stakeholder input and prepare interview procedures.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows (1) approval of the agenda (voice vote; motion by Martineau, seconded as recorded), (2) approval of the executive-session agenda (voice vote), (3) a motion to adjourn to executive session under the cited Wisconsin statute to consider employment matters (motion by Peggy McKillop; roll-call 'Aye' recorded), and (4) approval of the new hires, transfers and resignations as presented (motion by McKillop, seconded by Martineau; voice vote recorded as 'Aye').

The board is scheduled to act on search-related items at upcoming meetings as noted, including a Sept. 23 review of stakeholder feedback and the public selection meeting targeted for Dec. 16.