Board members discussed proposals from three superintendent search firms after the district received three responses to its RFP. The board reviewed cost, proposed schedules, local knowledge versus national reach, candidate care and potential conflicts if firms were conducting multiple simultaneous searches.

Several members praised MSBA’s Minnesota expertise and summary materials; others highlighted HYA’s national experience and references to comparable large districts. One firm, Ray, was noted as more expensive with travel costs included in baseline pricing. Directors asked staff to check references and to seek clarity on how each firm would manage multiple concurrent searches.

The board agreed unanimously to invite both MSBA and HYA to a special meeting for interviews and to prepare a set of detailed questions for those interviews. Members emphasized candidate care during the process and the need to ensure any selected firm will represent Hopkins’ values around equity and student‑centered hiring.

Next steps: the board reserved special meeting time to interview the two firms; staff will circulate comparison materials and suggested interview questions ahead of the meetings.