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 districts/CESAs served by the WASB Search Services since 2014-15
Alma Area
Amery
Argyle
Athens
Barneveld
Bloomer
Bowler
Boyceville Community
Burlington Area
Cadott Community
Central/Westosha UHS
CESA 2
CESA 4
Chequamegon
Clear Lake
Darlington
Denmark
Eleva-Strum
Elk Mound Area
Elmwood
Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau
Greenwood
Hustisford
Ladysmith
Lake Mills Area
Laona
Loyal
Luck
McFarland
Mondovi
Mosinee
Mount Horeb Area
New Auburn
New Holstein
Omro
Platteville
Potosi
Prairie du Chien
Prairie Farm
Randall Cons. Joint 1
Richland
Richmond
Shawano
Shell Lake
Shullsburg
Siren
South Milwaukee
Southwestern Wisconsin
Spooner Area
St. Francis
Sun Prairie Area
Superior
Thorp
Twin Lakes No. 4
Viroqua Area
Walworth Joint 1
Waterford Graded
Waterford UHS
Waterloo
Waupaca
Westby Area
Wisconsin Heights
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.
Board Visit to the Finalist's District
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. The WASB Search Services cost can begin at $7,950 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.
Read what others are saying
about Search Services:
The professional search service offered by the WASB brought certainty, clarity, and confidence to what is the most important decision any school board can make.
We trusted the WASB. Several BOE members attended this year’s convention session related to the WASB Search Services and were impressed by the presentation (and presenters!). The WASB has wide experience with and knowledge of school districts throughout Wisconsin, and we were confident that this expertise would be invaluable in assisting us to find a person who would be a good fit for Waupaca and for whom Waupaca would be a rewarding place to work. The cost was competitive. A successful match was essentially guaranteed. The WASB will be following up in the fall to help ensure a smooth transition to and a smooth integration of our new district administrator.
The search materials helped to make our search exciting, gave us confidence in the search and provided an expert and mentor who fit in with our board and was “one of us” in the whole process.
The WASB was instrumental in helping our board identify our specific needs and focus our search parameters in order for us to make an informed decision for our district.
The consultant was very knowledgeable and professional, a true partner. He let us make our decisions regarding questions, format of interviews, and evaluation process. He guided us thru it all, but there’s no question our selected candidate was our choice, not pushed on us by the consultant.