Superintendent Search Process for School Boards
Board Centered, Superintendent Friendly, and Data Driven.
Choosing a new superintendent is one of the most important tasks you will face as a school board. The WASB Search Services is designed to make this a positive and effective experience to help you choose the right person to lead your district. The WASB Search Services is designed to make hiring a superintendent a positive learning experience to help you better serve your district. We offer maximum flexibility to the board and assure total board control in the decision-making process.
Search Services consultants are equipped to help you from start to finish with a customized process. As a part of your membership organization, the consultants offer transition services that will help the right hire and the board quickly begin their journey together. The consultants can also connect you with the full range of WASB support services – from policy assistance to legal services and board development.
The WASB has worked with many school districts, both small and large, in Wisconsin.
List of districts/CESAs served by the WASB Search Services since 2017-18
Abbotsford
Alma Area
Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan
Appleton
Argyle
Athens
Bangor
Barneveld
Belmont Community
Beloit
Blair-Taylor
Bowler
Boyceville Community
Brighton #1
Burlington Area
Cadott Community
Campbellsport
Central/Westosha UHS
CESA 4
CESA 7
Chequamegon
Cochrane-Fountain City
Cudahy
Darlington
Denmark
Dodgeville
Eleva-Strum
Elmwood
Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau
Geneva Joint 4
Genoa City Jt 2
Howards Grove
Iowa-Grant
Jefferson
Kenosha
Kohler
Lake Country
Linn Jt 6
Lodi
Loyal
Mondovi
Mosinee
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton
Oconomowoc Area
Omro
Pardeeville Area
Pecatonica Area
Platteville
Potosi
Prairie du Chien
Randall Cons. Joint 1
Richmond
Shawano
Sheboygan Falls
Shell Lake
Shullsburg
South Milwaukee
Southern Door County
Spring Valley
Superior
Thorp
Tomah
Twin Lakes No. 4
Viroqua
Walworth Joint 1
Washington-Caldwell
Waterford Graded
Waterford UHS
Waupaca
Webster
West Salem
Westby Area
Are you a board member seeking a superintendent?
Operating Principles
When you select the WASB, you are selecting a trusted partner with whom you, your board and superintendent will have a long-term relationship. The WASB stands ready to be your partner, during the search process and beyond. Our consultants are experienced educational leaders who recognize that each search is the beginning of a journey. The WASB search consultants are equipped to facilitate a customized process during which they provide information and options to the board which makes the final decisions. At the heart of the WASB search process is a series of focus groups with the board, school staff, and community members. The data generated from these meetings will be used to develop each aspect of your search – from the vacancy announcement to the application essays and the questions you use in your interviews. Every application received by the WASB on the district’s behalf is provided to the district.
Request a Proposal
Is your district preparing to make the critical decision of selecting your next superintendent? Please contact Sally Sweitzer to request a proposal. A consultant will then set up a meeting with the board to determine how the WASB Search Services can meet the needs of your district.
National Affiliation of Superintendent Searchers (NASS)
The WASB is an active member of the National Affiliation of Superintendent Searchers.
The Search Process
Planning
Superintendent Profile
Advertising
Interviews
We’ll work with you to develop questions and thoroughly prepare for the interviews. You’ll receive a detailed Resource Guide, an orientation on effective interview techniques and format, and a review of the appropriate laws. Two or three finalists and an alternate will be chosen. The school board and the consultant plan the second round of interviews including who will be involved and the day’s schedule. There may be feedback to the board from those participating in the process. The board prioritizes their choices.
Contract
The New Superintendent
Search Costs
The WASB Search Services is a contracted service. Professional services are offered at an hourly rate plus expenses for travel, mileage, meals, and lodging, if necessary. Additional costs include advertising, postage, legal counsel, finalists’ travel expenses, and the site visit. A WASB Search Services cost typically falls in the $9,000-15,000 range which includes expenses; however, the total service costs are determined by the Search Services design and scope which is locally determined, as well as on-site consultant time. If a board elects to do portions of a search virtually, costs can be reduced in most cases. The WASB works with the board to design a search that meets the needs of the district.
Read what others are saying
about Search Services:
As a board member, I have been a part of three superintendent searches, the most recent utilizing WASB Search Services. Our experience with the WASB was great! The process was well-organized, professional, and customized to meet our needs. I confidently endorse the WASB Search Services.
The WASB did an excellent job educating our board about the process. My questions/concerns were addressed in a timely and professional manner. I was pleased with both the number and quality of applicants we received. That made choosing the right candidate very difficult for our board which I think is a good problem to have.
The WASB search team and process is flexible and offers the targeted approach required to attract the appropriate applicants suitable for our district needs.
I highly recommend using the WASB Search Services. They are qualified professionals who guide you in the process through initial meetings, to forums with stakeholders, all the way through final interviews. So helpful in guiding us through the process!
