Sylvan district looks at firm for superintendent search

Sylvan Union School District trustees interviewed four search firms at its meeting this week, but will hold off on hiring one for now.

Board President Terriann Zeek said Tuesday's meeting gave trustees a first look at the firms' proposals. Results of reference checks on the firms will be discussed at the next meeting Nov. 13, followed by a discussion of search specifics. She said the hope is to approve a contract at the board's Dec. 4 meeting.

"This is very early in the process," Zeek said by e-mail. The firm will be expected to help the board gather input from the public and district employees, she said.

Fees proposed by the firms ranged from $17,000 to $23,000. Ten years ago, the district spent $20,000 for the search that brought John Halverson to Sylvan. Halverson has announced he will retire June 30.

Halverson's contract specified he would have to pay the district back $20,000 if he left in less than two years, a provision the board likely will seek again, Zeek said.

"The cost of a search firm is only worth it if we find the best superintendent possible, which is exactly what we intend to do," she said.

Bee education reporter Nan Austin can be reached at naustin@modbee.com or (209) 578-2339, and on Twitter, @NanAustin.