Lac qui Parle Valley Schools board approves accelerated timeline, vacancy brochure for superintendent search

Lac qui Parle Valley Schools’ board approved an accelerated timeline and vacancy brochure for its superintendent search at a special meeting on April 16, setting an application deadline of midnight May 7 and first-round interviews for May 15.

MSBA representative Lee, who presented the search plan, told the board, “everything you do is done in an open meeting,” and reviewed privacy and procedural rules that will govern candidate handling. He said MSBA will post the vacancy and timeline on April 17, provide access to candidates’ materials through the Revelis system, and send login instructions to board members so they can review applications starting May 8.

Why it matters: the board must balance a condensed schedule against legal privacy requirements and thorough vetting. Lee warned that improperly disclosing non‑selected applicants’ information can expose the district to legal claims, citing a past district lawsuit where disclosure led to financial liability.

The board approved a package of special meeting dates to move the search quickly: a preparatory session on May 4 to finalize interview questions and process, a May 13 meeting to name finalists, first‑round interviews all day May 15, an optional May 16 backup date, and a May 18 meeting to approve a contract if a candidate is selected. Corey proposed the dates during the meeting, and the board voted to adopt the schedule.

The vacancy brochure approved by the board will include demographic and district information and must include a beginning salary range, per statute; the draft contained a placeholder of “155 to 175” (amount units were not specified in the presentation). Lee and staff said the figure can be adjusted before posting.

MSBA outlined how candidate materials will be delivered and reviewed: Shelby Herrera from MSBA will send board members access to Revelis, where applications, resumes, letters and references will be viewable. Lee said MSBA will screen applicants and provide recommendations for who the board might consider interviewing, but the board retains authority to decide who is interviewed.

The board also discussed and approved a plan for limited staff and student input during interviews. Rather than broad public endorsements, the board agreed to invite a representative panel (teachers, classified staff, administrators and up to two students) to observe interviews and submit written feedback via a Google Doc limited to two prompts: candidate strengths and areas for growth. The board emphasized that the process will not solicit or accept recommendations that name specific people as ‘‘preferred’’ or ‘‘unacceptable’’ candidates.

On vetting, Lee recommended formal background checks (BCA checks) be run late in the process and made contingent elements of any final offer; he estimated the check would cost about $40 and noted it can take about a week to return. He advised making offers contingent on successful negotiation and a successful background check.

Formal actions at the meeting included approval of the special meeting schedule (motion by Shannon, second by Kent; unanimous roll-call approval) and approval of the vacancy brochure with the approved dates inserted (motion by Scott, second by Shannon; unanimous roll-call approval). The board adjourned after those votes.

Next steps: MSBA will post the position on April 17, board members will receive Revelis access on or shortly after May 8, and the board will meet May 4 to finalize interview questions and May 13 to select finalists ahead of interviews on May 15.