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Jenkintown board hires MCIU to run superintendent search; trustees weigh cost vs. depth of vetting
Summary
After reviewing four search proposals, the board voted Nov. 10 to retain the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit for superintendent search services (reimbursable expenses ~ $3,500), citing local knowledge, flexibility and cost considerations.
The Jenkintown School District board on Nov. 10 voted to retain the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) to conduct the district’s superintendent search, favoring local expertise and lower cost over higher‑priced private firms.
Board members said all four proposals — the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), the MCIU and two private search firms — were strong. Directors who supported MCIU cited the unit’s local network and knowledge of Southeastern Pennsylvania candidates and said MCIU offered the flexibility to tailor the process. One member said the private firms provided deeper national vetting but at substantially higher cost.
After discussion, a motion passed to approve an agreement with MCIU for superintendent search services, subject to solicitor review, in which the consulting fee was described as $0 for professional services with approximately $3,500 in reimbursable expenses. The board discussed but did not finalize whether to separately pay PSBA for a paid posting/advertising option.
Legal counsel reminded the group that any final contract would be contingent on solicitor review and that the board could add advertising or additional services as contract add‑ons. The board also discussed outreach and community engagement plans as part of the search process.
The board’s selection balances cost‑consciousness with the desire for a thorough vetting process; members said the search is one of their most important duties and emphasized community involvement throughout the process.
