Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Superintendent Search topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Atlantic Comm School District board opens search for permanent superintendent, approves agenda
Summary
Trustees agreed to solicit presentations from three search firms and discussed the option of conducting the superintendent search internally; proposals cited fees around $8,500 plus expenses and a possible timeline for presentations in September and hiring by October.
The Atlantic Comm School District board voted to approve its work-session agenda and opened a discussion about launching a search for a permanent superintendent to follow the current two‑year interim appointment.
The Chair said the board always intended to open the position and invited input on whether to hire a search firm or run the search internally. “We certainly wanted someone that would build capacity in our district leadership,” the Chair said, and added that the board would “highly encourage Dr. Johnson to apply” while keeping the vacancy open to external candidates.
Board members reviewed proposals from three firms—McPherson and Jacobson; Ray and Associates; and Grundmeier—and discussed cost and timing. One proposal and subsequent discussion identified a base fee of about $8,500 and noted additional expenses, with trustees citing a not‑to‑exceed figure near $13,000 in some examples. The board discussed scheduling firm presentations possibly on the Sept. 11 work session and a follow-up Sept. 25 discussion, with the goal of completing selection by the October meeting.
Several trustees said a firm can provide broader stakeholder outreach and impartial facilitation, while others noted an in‑house search could save money but would require substantial board time. “You’re paying a company to do the behind‑the‑scenes logistics,” one trustee said, noting firms typically prescreen candidates and deliver a shortened finalist list for the board to interview.
No motion to hire a firm was made during the work session; staff were directed to contact the firms, confirm availability for presentations, and return recommended scheduling options to the board.
The board approved the evening’s agenda at the meeting’s start after a motion and second. Roll-call responses recorded during the session showed the trustees present and voting in favor (Jenny/Judy Goodrich; Ginny Jordan; Josh McLaren; Laura McClain; Christy Bellitt; Jody Goodrich).
