Meeting is scheduled for Superintendent Search

A blog "commenter" asked when the initial meeting will be held to discuss the superintendent search. It is now set for Wednesday Aug 12 at 5:00 pm in Loxley at the satellite office. Sally Howell from Alabama Association of School Boards will be with the board to review a search and selection process and various approaches boards may take. It is a public meeting.

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?

Leadership Style

Just as leopards can't change their spots leaders will lead according to their formed styles. In general I see those who lead as commanders in an autocratic and often charismatic manner, directing subordinates in a controlled manner. I also see leaders who embrace a democratic leadership style with more egalitarian approach to goal setting and accountability. The leadership goal is to create consensus and is often deferential to authority (like the board).

Both styles are valid depending upon the circumstances the organization faces, on what the team needs at the time. From your perspective what do Baldwin County schools need now, a commander or a consensus builder, as our next leader? What do you think?

Priorities and Qualifications

Dr. Hollinger was hired in 2002. At that time the system was faced with financial challenges, overcrowded facilities with hundreds of portable classrooms, and technology issues that included a lack of internet access at more than half our schools and more than half of employees lacked basic computer training. That was then.

Today we are faced with many challenges including but not limited to serious financial issues, large scale workforce cutbacks, No Child Left Behind and graduation requirements, intergovernmental relations with the cities, legislature and county commission. The new superintendent will not likely be an expert in all of the challenge areas (no one could be). How should the system challenges we face be prioritized? What do you think?