School Board Questions Headhunters

— by Margie Doyle —

The full Orcas Island School District (OISD) Board, school administrators, staff and the public held in-depth interviews with representatives of two professional search groups, or “headhunters,” in the quest for a new school district Superintendent on Monday, Dec. 16.

Earlier this fall, OISD Superintendent Barbara Kline announced that she plans to retire on June 30, 2014. The Board decided to engage a professional search team, and issued a request for proposals earlier this month.  On Monday they heard from representatives of NW Leadership Associates and from McPherson & Jacobsen.

The Board will decide between the two firms at its monthly meeting, to be held this Thursday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the school library.

At the interviews, candidates Wayne Robertson from NW Leadership Associates and Rich Parker from McPherson & Jacobsen gave an overview of their companies and their search processes, before opening up the meeting for questions from the board and the public.

NW Leadership Associates has been used by OISD in the past, and was engaged in hiring former Superintendent Glen Harris in 2006. Harris resigned in 2008. NW Leadership’s 10 associates are mostly former Washington State superintendents. Robertson, who would lead the team in the search for the Orcas superintendent, is himself a former public school principal and superintendent. He is now a faculty member in the Education Leadership Department of Western Washington University.

Robertson commended the board’s attention to and nurturing of the OASIS Alternative Learning program. “I have a real affinity for entrepreneurial and unique approaches based on learning style and location,” he said. “Cyber and home schools are clearly the wave of the future, if not the present.

“It’s important to get ahead of the curve in terms of innovation, instead of behind the curve in terms of regulation.”

Rich Parker represented McPherson and Jabocbsen. His firm operates nation-wide, in 30 states and Washington DC.; it represents the Arkansas and Louisiana state school board associations, and the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) in conducting searches for their member districts.

All the consultants at McPherson are involved with public education, and come from a variety of backgrounds; including former teachers and school board members like himself. Parker has an advanced degree in systems organization.

Robertson described the process his team would take in recruiting an applicant pool for the board to choose from. He emphasized board input and community engagement, personal connections, possible re-evaluation of administrative assignments, and transparency. He guaranteed thorough vetting of all candidates, and said that while he would make all applications available to the board, he would prioritize in presenting the applicants.

When asked if he’d had any information from NW Leadership about the hiring of Harris in 2006, Robertson said he wasn’t aware of the specific situation.  Regarding candidate screening, he said, “I can only give you my assurance that I do diligence; that it would be thorough.”

Parker said that the search would be directed by the school board. “It’s one of the most important board duties and a huge responsibility; you have to listen to community and the  organization.” His company would “come in with a decision-making protocol and facilitate the process you design.”

Parker’s team from McPherson and Jacobsen would review and evaluate all applications in cooperation with the board. During the decision-making phase, “We take the back seat… you’ll take the lead in meeting with the candidates.”

“All information is turned over to you. We make sure you trust the process and are comfortable with its flexibility and transparency.” Parker said that the vetting process includes criminal and credit background checks.

• Both firms foresee a full one-day schedule for candidates to meet with the board, staff, community groups checks from list;  and that it was timely to begin the process soon.
• Both proposals guarantee two-years engagement by the chosen candidate, or a re-start of the process at no extra charge, except for expenses. While Robertson estimated 12 or 15 applicants, Parker expected 20 to 25 from a nation-wide pool.
• The board would start the application search with a “ballpark” salary figure;  negotiations would be finalized with the selection process. Both firms are available to help with the negotiation process.

Parker said that the trend toward adding “perks” to basic salary and benefits packages has now declined, with more districts now “putting that money into salary and keeping benefits more aligned with other employee benefits.”

When asked about recruiting unconventional candidates, Robertson said that he is open to accepting applications from business, military and academic professionals. “I would predict more conventional applicants for this district,” he added.

Parker said that, in Washington, school superintendents are not required to have teaching  credentials; it is up to the district directors to decide if they prefer a non-traditional candidate.

Both candidates were asked to describe the challenges in the superintendent search process. Robertson replied that the main challenge would be attracting applicants for a small district that would involve “serious” relocation. He added that with the success of the OASIS schools, Orcas offers “a rising star for a first-time superintendent in an innovative place.”

Parker said that the remoteness of Orcas Island also has its attractions. “The national movement in progressive education and alternative learning opens the situation.”

School board chair Chris Sutton asked Parker if his firm had ever been unable “to find the right candidate.”

Parker described that happening in Coupeville: the search was postponed until the following year when a new search was held; the district worked with Educational Services District (ESD) 189 “to find an interim person and keep moving the district forward, not just keeping the seat warm.”

The OISD board will decide upon a search firm at its meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19 and schedule planning during the Christmas holiday break.