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Lincoln County trustees open superintendent hiring process, schedule special meeting; approve superintendent evaluation and 5% raise
Summary
Trustees directed staff to pursue a superintendent search process and scheduled a special meeting for further discussion; the board also approved Superintendent Pam Teel’s annual evaluation and a 5% salary increase, and approved several routine personnel motions including two 16‑year‑old HiSet requests and a part‑time paraprofessional hire.
The Lincoln County School District Board on Sept. 11 authorized work to begin on hiring the next superintendent and scheduled a special meeting for further consideration of the search process, while also approving Superintendent Pam Teel’s annual evaluation and a 5% pay increase.
Trustee Ann Smith moved to schedule a special board meeting to continue the superintendent‑search discussion; Trustee Andy Free seconded and the motion carried with President Wade Poulsen recorded as opposed. Trustees debated whether to run an internal open advertising process or hire an outside search firm (estimates discussed in the meeting ranged from about $30,000 to $50,000). Trustee Free argued an open search would broaden the candidate pool; President Poulsen and other trustees emphasized cost and the importance of continuity, given recent district progress under current leadership.
"We want the best candidate," Trustee Andy Free said in favor of opening the search; he added that an outside firm would provide an unbiased slate of candidates. President Poulsen expressed concern about timeline and cost, noting an outside firm can add months to the process and that a national search does not guarantee retention of district momentum.
On evaluation and compensation, Trustee Ann Smith moved to approve Superintendent Teel’s annual performance evaluation and recommend a 5% salary increase; Trustee Patrick Kelley seconded and the motion carried. Teel had provided a written self‑evaluation and an update on Empower, assessment work and staffing. Teel said she would support onboarding and mentoring for any incoming superintendent and recommended hiring an assistant superintendent to cover transition responsibilities.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting): - Consent agenda (minutes, payment of bills, transportation contract, retirement, vaccination exemptions, coach hire Rebekah Steele) — approved (motion carried). - Approve HiSet testing for two 16‑year‑old students (Pahranagat Valley HS student Sariah Mayfield; Lincoln County HS student Adam Clyde) — approved (motions carried). - Approve additional part‑time paraprofessional at Panaca Elementary — approved (motion carried). - Empower four‑point grading conversion (elementary and Meadow Valley Middle School pilot) — tabled pending full conversion package. - Schedule special meeting to continue superintendent hiring discussion — approved (motion carried; President Poulsen opposed). - Approve Superintendent Pam Teel annual evaluation and 5% increase — approved (motion carried).
What happens next: The board will hold a special meeting to define the hiring process and timeline. Staff will return with more detailed cost estimates and a proposed timeline for either an internal recruitment or an external search firm. Superintendent Teel remains in place and will assist with transition planning and mentoring if a successor is hired.
