Haysville board hires KASB to run superintendent search, approves $6,500 contract

The Haysville Board of Education voted 7–0 at a special meeting to hire KASB Leadership Services to run the district’s superintendent search and authorize a contract of $6,500 plus travel expenses.

Doctor Miller of KASB gave the board an overview of a five-phase search process that begins with posting the vacancy and collecting community input and ends with post-hire goals and expectations once a superintendent is seated. "This is our process. We are proud of our process," Miller told the board, stressing confidentiality around interview questions and materials.

Under the proposed timeline, KASB would post the job immediately after a signed contract is returned. Miller said the application window would close Jan. 9, focus-group work in Haysville would be scheduled around Jan. 8, and an executive-session meeting to review candidates is tentatively set for Jan. 19. He said finalists would be screened by KASB — including reference checks and targeted background checks for recommended finalists — then presented to the board for interview selection.

On costs and contract terms, Miller said, "Our contract for for this service is $6,500, along with travel expenses." He also offered a one-year warranty: if the district follows the outlined process and the hire does not work out within a year, KASB will repeat the search free of charge.

Board members and Miller discussed how Phase 2 — surveys and focus groups — will develop the leadership characteristics the board wants in a superintendent. Miller recommended the board use both an open electronic survey (to gather broad input over two to three weeks) and targeted focus groups in town to dig deeper on priorities.

Board members asked about candidate numbers and screening. Miller said recent searches statewide number in the mid-30s and recalled higher volumes in 2020–2022; for a large district he expected a "solid applicant pool" and emphasized screening for quality: "it's not necessarily quantity, it's quality, and all we need is one." He described typical finalist shortlists of three to five candidates and confirmed that the board could interview any applicant it wished.

The motion to hire KASB was made and seconded during the meeting and the board approved it unanimously. The board also agreed to route follow-up questions through district staff (Debbie) so responses are consolidated and shared with all seven board members.

The board discussed whether an in-district residency requirement should be written into the superintendent contract. Board member Jennifer said she is "not tied to residency" but wants a superintendent who will be an engaged community member; Miller suggested residency could be negotiable or set with a timetable for relocation if desired.

Next steps: with the contract approved, KASB will post the vacancy, distribute a survey and finalize focus-group planning. A Jan. 19 executive session is tentatively scheduled to review finalists and begin interview scheduling.