Having found success among the finalists from its superintendent search six years ago, the Humboldt Unified School District Governing Board approved hiring the same firm to look for its next superintendent.
Search Solutions received the thumbs up at this past Tuesday's meeting to conduct a search to replace Supt. Henry Schmitt who will retire at the end of June 2010. The board considered bids from three vendors with estimated fees ranging from $5,600 to $23,500. They also considered whether or not they needed to hire a firm or could handle a search on their own.
On Monday, Oct. 19, HUSD and Prescott Unified School District board members met jointly with Search Solutions owner JoAnne Hilde and with John Gordon, director of Leadership Development from the Arizona School Boards Association.
The following day, at Tuesday's HUSD board meeting, Regional Search Director Tom Heck, with Ray and Associates, Inc., presented the third firm's information.
HUSD board member Rich Adler asked Heck why Ray and Associates' estimated cost, at $23,500, not including advertising, was so much higher than the other two firms. ASBA's base fee was $6,000, Search Solutions was $5,600.
Heck said the company has 30 years of experience, and is able to cast out a wide net nationwide to find the best fit between candidates and districts.
"I'm an advocate of finding a superintendent locally. We look for local talent, but also know there are certain individuals out there who will take you to the next level," Heck said.
Board member Shelly Damschroder questioned why the district needed to hire a search firm in the first place.
"We have a capable HR department and great internal candidates. We can advertise ourselves in all the same places," she said. "Why pay $6,000-$23,000 for this, knowing more budget cuts are ahead?"
Adler said he wasn't sure about going with the "Cadillac" of firms, Ray and Associates, Inc. Even $6,000 is a lot of money now, he said.
"Long term, the superintendent is the most important decision the board will make. I'm in favor of hiring a firm to do that," Adler said.
The board approved the hiring of a search firm by a 4-1 vote, with Damschroder opposing.
Adler said he thought John Gordon, the search analyst for the Arizona School Board Association, gave a professional presentation. He added that his concern about Search Solutions was that Hilde's partner has recently left the firm, and the company's intern happens to be Schmitt's wife, Linda.
"She will not be involved in the Humboldt search in any way," said Hilde this past Thursday. "It's important that there not be concern about conflict of interest."
Board member Scott Paulsen said he has no experience in a superintendent search, but that he was not leaning toward ASBA.
Vice President Gary Marks said he, too, would exclude the "Cadillac" firm, and that both of the other two companies were "pretty close" when it comes to connections.
"I would go with Search Solutions. We've been there, done that, and you can see the results," he said, speaking of Schmitt.
Board President Howard Moody said he was leaning towards ASBA, rather than Hilde's firm.
"She has fairly close ties with Prescott," he said, alluding to Hilde's seven years service on the PUSD school board.
In the end, the board approved hiring Search Solutions for $5,600, not including advertising costs, with a 4-1 vote, Damschroder opposing.
On Monday of this week, Hilde met with the district's principals to begin the process of identifying what kind of attributes and skills they seek in a new superintendent.
