Superintendent Search Firms Make Their Case to District 113A

The Board of Education will consider the use of a superintendent search firm in the coming weeks, according to Board President Mike Aurelio.

During a special meeting Tuesday night, board members heard from three organizations that specialize in education executive searches: the Illinois Association of School Boards, BWP and Associates, and Proact Search. No action was taken following the presentations.

The school board is tasked with finding a successor for current Superintendent Tim Ricker, that he will retire at the end of the current school year.

Presenting first was the Illinois Association of School Boards, a not-for-profit, voluntary organization that provides a number of services to school board members across the state — including executive searches. According to representatives Tom Leahy and Dawn Miller, the IASB was used last year by 60 percent of all Illinois school districts that hired search firms to recruit superintendents.

"We do take our work seriously, and we believe we have one of the best services available at the most economic cost," Leahy said.

Basic IASB services would cost about $5,000, Leahy said, but the cost could jump to $7,500 if the district opts to create an online survey or hold community forums.

BWP and Associates is a Libertyville-based firm that has assisted school districts in more than 35 states. Representatives Anne Noland and Mark Friedman said "children are the focus" of everything they do, and that they would customize their search to meet the the district's needs.

Noland said a good search would take about 16 to 20 weeks, and would ideally result in a three-year contract with a new superintendent.

"To get a quality person, you want to get to the point that you're able to offer a three-year contract," she said.

The cost for basic services would be about $12,500, Friedman said. The cost would increase if the district chooses to use advertising or bring in candidates from other other states, since districts are typically expected to cover travel expenses.

Proact Search was the final firm to present and by far the most expensive. Chief Operating Officer Phil Hansen told District 113A board members Tuesday night that his firm's services would cost between $20,000 and $22,000.

The district would incur additional costs if it advertised or brought in candidates from other states, he said.

If chosen, Proact would identify desirable characteristics of the next superintendent through interviews with school board members, online surveys and community forums.

During the meeting, Board Member Lisa Wright expressed concern that district is currently "behind the ball" in the search process, since the school year is well underway.

The IASB representatives said they are "in the midst of the first wave" of openings, so candidates are in the process of being interviewed. However, they said District 113A should have no problem hiring someone by April or May, so long as they move quickly in getting the process started.

"You're a very attractive district," Miller said. "I would be very surprised if you did not get a large number of applicants in your search."

Aurelio said during the meeting that the board would consider the presentations and likely make a decision "in the next week or so." The board hopes to select the new superintendent by March or April, he said.

The next meeting of the District 113A Board of Education — a business meeting — is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the , 16100 W. 127th St.