Search consultants tell Sultan School Board they have cast a wide net; two formal applications received so far

Wayne Robertson of Northwest Leadership Associates told the Sultan School District board the firm has contacted roughly 123 prospective candidates for the superintendent post and that two formal applications had been received by the mid-search update. Robertson said the position remains open until Feb. 14 and the consultants expect to receive more applications before that deadline.

Robertson walked the board through the outreach breakdown, saying the firm’s list includes about 37 current or former superintendents (22 of them in Washington), roughly 47 Washington assistant superintendents or directors, 12 out‑of‑state assistant superintendents and directors, 13 principals, and a mix of other education leaders and professionals. He described the pool as experienced but said the gender balance currently favors men — about 94 men and 29 women on the outreach list — and noted outreach is ongoing to improve diversity.

"We want to cast a wide net," Robertson said, emphasizing the consultants have been sending application packets and the district brochure to candidates nationwide. He reported that, as of his report, 57 respondents had completed the district's online survey and recommended a reminder push to encourage more community feedback, including targeted outreach to Spanish‑speaking residents; he said the consultants have seen little response to the Spanish survey so far.

Mark Vinn, the search consultant who outlined logistics, said completed applications will be delivered to Kayla about a week before the Feb. 14 closing and kept confidential for board review. Vinn described an executive‑session screening meeting tentatively scheduled for Feb. 19 to identify semi‑finalists, with preliminary 15‑minute interviews for about five or six semi‑finalists on Saturday, March 1.

Laurel Browning explained finalists’ week: each of three finalists would spend a full day in the district, meet with staff and community groups, take part in a public forum of about 40–45 minutes with pre‑submitted questions, and receive QR‑code feedback from attendees. The board would then hold an executive‑session deliberation and publicly vote by roll call the following day if they select a finalist.

Consultants told trustees they will provide a near‑final draft of the employment contract and compensation details to semifinalists so candidates understand salary, potential doctoral stipends and travel allowances prior to interviews. Trustees raised scheduling conflicts for finalist week; consultants said remote participation and audio accommodations have been used in past searches and that they would work with the board on logistics.

The consultants urged the board to review candidate materials when they arrive and to send a survey reminder to boost participation. The district’s timeline remains: application window through Feb. 14, screening meeting around Feb. 19, preliminary interviews March 1 and finalists’ visits later in March.