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Holdingford board narrows superintendent search process, sets compressed input timeline and compensation range
Summary
Board members agreed on an open superintendent search facilitated by SchoolPro, a condensed one‑week stakeholder input window, a small review subcommittee, and a suggested salary band of $132,000–$150,000; internal and external applicants are welcome.
The Holdingford Public School District board met March 12 and agreed on a condensed, open superintendent search process led by consultant Eric Skanson of SchoolPro Services.
Skanson outlined a search blueprint and said the district should evaluate candidates on "character, competency and craft," and aim for a candidate pool of roughly 10–15 applicants. The consultant recommended a target semifinalist pool of about six candidates and a final round of approximately half that number; the board reached consensus on using a small subcommittee to review applications for speed.
Board members described the district as fiscally responsible and tightly connected to its community. Vice‑Chair Rob Knettel said the district has been "very financially stable under Mr Swenson's leadership" and emphasized the desire for a leader who is visible in activities and neutral on political views. Board members asked that the new superintendent preserve community relationships, staff mentorship and the district’s current program strengths, including FFA, theater and athletics.
Members discussed outreach to solicit stakeholder input. The board agreed to compress the stakeholder survey period to one week and distribute it via Facebook, the local newspaper, school messaging (SchoolReach), church bulletins and word of mouth. Skanson said shortening the application window to two weeks would be "pushing it," but board members pressed for an expedited timeline to move quickly if a strong internal candidate emerged.
Skanson presented a suggested compensation range of $132,000 to $150,000 based on comparable districts; the board expressed consensus that range was acceptable. He also reviewed application submission steps, interview formats and brochure materials. Director of Finance and Operations Garrity Gerber was asked to collect edits and finalize the brochure; the board set a deadline for the final draft of Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
The board took no formal vote on the search plan at the meeting and will present the final brochure and timeline at a subsequent regular meeting.
