Superintendent Search Process for School Boards
Board Centered, Superintendent Friendly and Data Driven.
Selecting the right superintendent is the school board’s most important role. Finding an instructional leader who will achieve the vision and mission of your schools is an important decision that will directly impact student achievement.
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. They 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 the districts/CESAs served by the WASB Search Services since 2013-14
Abbotsford
Alma Area
Amery
Argyle
Barneveld
Bloomer
Bowler
Cadott Community
Campbellsport
CESA 2
CESA 4
Chequamegon
Clear Lake
Denmark
Dodgeville
Eleva-Strum
Elk Mound Area
Elmwood
Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau
Geneva Joint 4
Greenwood
Hustisford
Ladysmith
Lake Holcombe
Lake Mills Area
Laona
Luck
Manawa
McFarland
Mondovi
Mount Horeb Area
New Auburn
New Holstein
Palmyra-Eagle Area
Prairie du Chien
Prairie Farm
Randall Consolidated
Richland
River Ridge
Shell Lake
Shullsburg
Siren
Southwestern Wisconsin
Spooner Area
Spring Valley
St. Francis
Sun Prairie Area
Superior
Thorp
Twin Lakes No. 4
Viroqua Area
Walworth Jt. 1
Waterford Graded
Waterloo
Westby Area
Wisconsin Heights
Wisconsin School News article:
Finding the Right Fit
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.
The Search Process
Planning
We do our work with you—not just for you. The first planning meeting involves determining the extent and the type of community and student involvement in the process, budget and schedule of activities, existing board policy, and commitments of individual board members. A subsequent meeting entails choosing five or six candidates for the first interviews and reviewing interview questions and procedures.
Superintendent Profile
The consultant assists the board in arriving at the profile of the desired person based on information from focus groups and the school board.
Advertising
The WASB advertises open positions on more than 30 statewide, regional and national websites. We also notify the WASB applicant pool. Individuals who are interested in the positions are encouraged to apply.
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.
Board Visit to the Finalist's District
Board members decide who will visit the district of their first choice finalist.
Contract
The school board or its designee negotiates a contract with the final candidate.
The New Superintendent
The WASB can assist the district with developing press releases and making introductions to the staff and community to help establish strong relationships from the start. The consultants offer transition services that will help the right hire and the board quickly begin their journey together. Additionally, we offer assistance in clarifying expectations and enhancing communication between you and your new superintendent from day one.
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.
The WASB Search Services cost can begin at $7,750 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. The WASB works with the board to design a search that meets the needs of the district.