Board hires interim CBO, readies superintendent search amid public concern about search firms

Carlsbad Unified trustees on Jan. 22 approved an agreement with Fagan Freedman & Fulfrost LLP to provide Suzanne O'Connell as interim Chief Business Official beginning Jan. 27 at a negotiated $180 per hour rate, to cover the vacancy created by Eric Dill’s resignation (last day Jan. 31). The motion passed unanimously.

Staff explained O'Connell’s prior experience in Carlsbad Unified (assistant superintendent and CBO roles from 2004–2017) and noted she has served as interim CBO for other districts. Trustees asked clarifying questions about contract effective dates, fee structures and whether the district would recruit a permanent replacement using a search firm.

Later in the meeting staff introduced three finalist executive search firms and indicated interviews would proceed. During public comment several speakers urged the board not to select a firm perceived to have conflicts; they cited McPherson & Jacobson's recent role in a neighboring district's search and asked the board to consider Education Support Services or another firm with demonstrated transparency and community engagement. One public commenter urged the board to avoid a firm whose consultants might have close ties to potential candidates.

What’s next: The board extended the meeting to continue interviews and planned to hear presentations from the three shortlisted search firms. Trustees will select a firm and establish a timeline for the superintendent recruitment process; the interim CBO contract will be implemented immediately to ensure continuity in business operations.