Board approves outside facilitator for superintendent search after debate over interim and costs

The local school board voted to hire the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) to facilitate a search for a new superintendent after trustees debated whether to pursue a full national search now or hire an interim leader.

Trustee (S7) moved the motion "to have MTSBA facilitate this for us," which Trustee (S2) seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally. Trustee (S2) said MTSBA and the other vendor in the packet offered similar services and that the decision came down to reach and likely success in attracting candidates.

The vote follows extended discussion about two written proposals included with the meeting materials. One consultant initially quoted $7,000 and later revised that to $5,500; the packet also included another written quote of about $6,000. Trustees and staff discussed whether selecting a consultant now would commit the district to subsequent work (one email exchange referenced an additional $2,500 in a multi-year scenario). The meeting transcript contains inconsistent spellings and acronyms for the vendors (examples in the transcript include "MTSBA," "NTSBA," "NTSB" and multiple spellings of a private consultant), and trustees asked the chair and administration to clarify exact contract terms before final signature.

Trustees also debated hiring an interim superintendent while conducting a permanent search. Board members noted interim appointments are common in rural districts and sometimes use retired superintendents who work part time. The administration explained that costs for an interim likely would come from the district's interlocal fund (fund 282), which holds leftover monies from certain prior accounts.

Participants discussed certification options if a local staff member were considered for interim service. A staff member at the meeting said they are pursuing coursework toward superintendent certification; trustees and administrators mentioned provisional three-year licenses and emergency licenses as possible pathways while the district completes accreditation and hiring steps. Trustees also discussed contracting with a county superintendent service as an alternative.

Board members asked that any contract preserve the board's final selection authority: consultants will screen applicants and present qualified candidates, but trustees will interview and choose whom to hire. The board also asked staff to return with clarifying questions for the consultants and indicated it may reconvene quickly to finalize contract language and postings.

What happens next: The board will seek written clarifications about contract caps, interim provisions and advertising reach, and will finalize and sign a contract before proceeding with application postings and candidate screening.