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San Luis Coastal board selects Leadership Associates to run superintendent search
Summary
After presentations from four search firms and a force-ranking deliberation, the San Luis Coastal Unified School District board voted 6–1 to designate Leadership Associates as the district’s preferred partner to conduct the superintendent search; staff will finalize contract negotiations and return details to the board.
The San Luis Coastal Unified School District board heard presentations from four superintendent-search firms—HYA (Hazard Young Associates), Leadership Associates, McPherson & Jacobson, and the Costa Group—and then conducted a forced-ranking exercise and public deliberation on firm strengths and trade-offs.
Trustees discussed each firm’s local experience, recruiting reach, stakeholder‑engagement approach, background‑check depth and post‑hire coaching. Leadership Associates emphasized California-based experience, a partnership model with statewide reach, and a long record of work in nearby districts; some trustees favored Leadership Associates for its familiarity with the central coast and prior placements in the county. McPherson & Jacobson and the Costa Group were praised for broad national networks and two‑year post‑hire support programs; McPherson & Jacobson was noted for a strong plan to engage diverse and hard‑to‑reach stakeholders.
After discussion, Trustee Clawson moved and Trustee Banfield seconded a motion naming Leadership Associates the board’s preferred vendor for the superintendent search and authorizing staff to finalize and negotiate a contract. The motion passed 6–1 (Miss Baltadono opposed). The board directed staff to return with a finalized agreement and next steps for the engagement, including a board planning meeting and stakeholder-engagement schedule.
