First Meeting to Discuss Search Process

The board will meet on August 12 to begin discussion of process for this search. What do you want us to know as we begin?

Promote From Within?

Is it better to promote from within if a candidate from within meets basic criteria and qualifications? Do you think morale is affected if employees are excluded? Do you think an internal candidate could create a "fresh" approach? What do you think?

Hiring a Search Firm

Oftentimes school boards hire consulting firms to conduct a "search" for candidates and screen candidates, presenting a short list to the board for final interviews and selection. On the other hand some boards take on the entire process of creating job description and minimum qualifications, receiving and reviewing applications, handling the entire selection process. How do you view board responsibility in this process?

What is a Superintendent Worth?

I was in Birmingham recently and saw a report that the Trussville system had just given their superintendent a raise to $190,000 plus a car allowance. Took my breath away. The recent superintendent selection in Saraland was paid $130,000. Dr. Nichols in Mobile makes north of $200,000. Dr. Hollinger is in the $145,000 range.

Hollinger's senior staff members are all paid in the range of $100,000.

One of the things we will have to do in defining the job for applicants is set a salary range. Some say if we offer too little then we will not get the quality of applicants that we want. We all understand price relative to quality and relative to need. In a material object it is pretty easy to define. What qualities might cause you to find value in an applicant that would cause you to pay more, to feel the system "needs" this? What do you think about it?