Seaside School Board votes to run superintendent search in-house

The Seaside School Board voted at a special meeting to conduct the district's upcoming superintendent recruitment internally rather than hire an outside search consultant. A motion to use an in-house recruitment and employment process was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; the transcript records the motion as carried but does not include a roll-call tally.

Board members framed the decision around speed and continuity: running an internal search could shorten the timeline if a qualified in‑district candidate emerges, while a consultant would shoulder more of the administrative workload but add cost. Board members noted time pressures tied to a local option that must be passed in May and a district budget shortfall that affects hiring timelines.

Outgoing superintendent Susan, who participated in the district's prior search process, told the board she was willing to remain on a short contract to help transition a new hire, saying, "I'm willing to, you know, to stay and work on a contract basis to help train the person." That offer was discussed as a way to maintain continuity if the board selected an external candidate late in the timeline.

The board directed staff and the soon-to-be-formed search committee to draft a timeline, define stakeholder groups and develop an objective screening rubric. Members emphasized including employees, students and community representatives in the interview process whether the search is internal or external.

The motion to run the search in-house followed an earlier vote to review previous applicants for a separate budget‑committee vacancy; the transcript records both actions being approved but does not list individual votes by name.

Next steps: the board authorized a planning committee to develop the search charter and timeline and to return with a proposed schedule and stakeholder roles before any hiring decision is finalized.