Bassett Unified board authorizes RFQ for superintendent search firms and reserves special interview dates

The Bassett Unified School District board Jan. 27 authorized the board president, the assistant superintendent of human resources and general counsel to publish a request for qualifications (RFQ) to solicit superintendent search firms and to screen responses.

The board set a submission deadline of Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. with authority to extend by up to one week if necessary to ensure a competitive pool. Staff were directed to return 3–5 recommended firms for board interviews. Trustees reserved potential special meeting dates — Feb. 24 and Feb. 26, with March 3 held as a backup — for firm interviews and possible contract approval. The board asked prospective firms to include the last four or five superintendent searches they completed, the finalist outcomes, proposed methodology for community engagement, key staff who would work with the district, essential contract terms, estimated costs, and how they handle unsuccessful placements.

Board members discussed practical scheduling concerns for interviews and asked that firms be prepared to present and, if selected, to begin negotiating contract terms within days of the interview. The board emphasized the importance of comparing firms on track record and cost and noted that staff will vet submissions and return recommendations for the board’s final selection. The directive was unanimous by consensus and recorded as board direction; the RFQ process will be administered through the HR office.

What happens next Staff will publish the RFQ, collect submissions, and provide a short list to trustees for interview. If the board selects a firm, the board will hold a subsequent meeting to approve the contract and begin the recruitment process. The interim superintendent may apply for the permanent position if she chooses; board members discussed recusal and procedural safeguards in that scenario.