After pitches from three firms, Forest Lake board asks members to vet MSBA and Ray & Associates
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Summary
Following presentations by MSBA, Ray & Associates and School Exec Connect, the board agreed to pursue further reference checks. Several members said MSBA and Ray & Associates were the preferred finalists; concerns focused on consultant availability, travel costs and whether lead consultants would be dedicated to a single Forest Lake search.
Board members discussed three firms that presented for the superintendent-search contract and agreed to collect references and return the matter at the next meeting.
MSBA emphasized community engagement opportunities, virtual access for public participation, a one-year coaching guarantee for the hired superintendent and cloud-hosted applicant materials. Several members praised MSBA's track record and its emphasis on state-specific open-meetings and data practices.
Ray & Associates presented a national recruitment model with a consensus-building matrix and candidate-attribute work; some members were impressed by the depth of Dr. Daniel Bittman's presentation and the firm's Midwest experience but asked for references to verify candidate-placement continuity.
School Exec Connect (Dr. O'Meara) offered a national search model and background services; some members valued his outreach but expressed caution about out-of-state travel expenses and mixed reference feedback.
Board members generally ranked MSBA and Ray & Associates as the leading options but declined to make a final selection at the meeting. The chair proposed that each board member perform independent reference checks during the coming week and return the item for decision at the next meeting; the board agreed.