APPROVED

SAU 28 WORKSHOP MEETING

November 1, 2006

Public Session

Pelham Board Members Present

Cindy Kyzer, Eleanor Burton, Linda Mahoney, Bruce Couture

Windham Board Members Present

Bruce Anderson, Barbara Coish, Beverly Donovan

Beth Valentine and Galen Stearns

Superintendent

Dr. Elaine Cutler

New Hampshire School Board Association/Superintendent Search

Mr. Ted Comstock, Executive Director of the New Hampshire School Board Association (NHSBA) accompanied by his wife Terry, addressed both School Boards regarding the services they can provide in a Superintendent search. Mr. Comstock explained the reason why the NHSBA is a less expensive search alternative than NESDEC - NHSBA takes into account the membership (into NHSBA) of the Boards in the state.

Mr. Comstock summarized the difference phases of a Superintendent search:

• Preparation for Search (meetings to develop a vision for the SAU; schedule a timeline for the search process; desires; criteria)
• Conduct a Search (this is a critical phase – shortage of great superintendents; recruitment; reference-checking; interviews)
• Closure of the Search (on-site visitation; finalist visitation – tour the school district(s); finalist interviews; candidate selection)

Mr. Comstock noted the process should take 4-5 months. The recruitment phase is the biggest phase. He noted NHSBA conducts a thorough reference check – extensive background of finalists – issues a full report (this is included in their fee of $8,000).

Beverly Donovan questioned the pros and cons of finding someone based in New Hampshire. Mr. Comstock responded by saying there are a lot of pros to this. He noted there is a learning curve if a candidate is from out-of-state. Noting we are a unique state with unique laws.

Linda Mahoney questioned if there was a fee (NHSBA) based on the percent of salary. Mr. Comstock responded that there was no additional fee – it is a flat rate.

Galen Stearns noted that interaction between the new Superintendent and both school boards is very critical. He questioned if we would get a report/opinion regarding this.

Mr. Comstock stated that yes; the Boards would absolutely receive that type of information. The Boards would know everything about the potential candidate

Eleanor Burton inquired if they could give sample interview questions. Yes they could. She also inquired if there were many people who would be applying that are not already Superintendents - but rather principals. The response was probably 20%.

Bruce Anderson questioned - in the district where you already have a sitting Assistant Superintendent, how does that usually work out. Mr. Comstock responded that generally speaking it works out find. It is not like private industry.

Mr. Anderson questioned the timing of the posting. Mr. Comstock strongly suggested getting it going in the next couple of weeks. We would need the specific job description, etc.

He noted the recruitment phase takes about 6-8 weeks.

Bruce Anderson noted that the top concern of both districts would be construction experience as a Superintendent. Although he noted that he did not want to overlook other things. Mr. Anderson also questioned if Mr. Comstock would come to a meeting to facilitate the discussion with our Boards. Yes he would.

Linda Mahoney questioned where the NHSBA would advertise the position. Some of the places it would be advertised are the AASA website; National Principals website; all SAU’s in New Hampshire.

Dr. Cutler stated that Judy Moody has a file (from the last search) for the Boards use. She will distribute said file to the board members.

Beth Valentine noted that we are going to be looking for a Business Administrator as well. Do we use the same time-frame.

Mr. Comstock noted that good Business Administrators are hard to find.

Mr. Comstock outlined the next steps the Boards should take:

• Condense criteria as a Board(s)
• Determine if you are going to form a search committee
• If hired, meet with Mr. Comstock to refine criteria

Linda Mahoney questioned how many other New Hampshire districts the NHSBA helped to find Superintendents for: Mr. Comstock responded with 12 in the last two years alone.

Ms. Mahoney asked if the NHSBA did follow-up after a Superintendent is found/hired. Yes, we provide training and evaluations if the districts want that.

At this time Bruce Anderson requested a meeting date of November 14^th @7:00 at the SAU. He also requested a meeting of November 17^th @4:00 with Mr. Comstock at the SAU

Beth Valentine noted that the districts should use the November 14^th meeting to discuss the Business Administrators position as well.

Linda Mahoney questioned if the Board(s) have given any thought to using our own Human Resource Manager to perform the Superintendent search.

Mr. Comstock stated that if the Board(s) decided to go in that direction, he would be happy to help. That choice would take careful assessment.

Beth Valentine stated that she would have to assume that our Human Resource Manager would have a lot on her plate already, taking care of two districts. She noted that this is too critical to place on her – adding we will be looking for two (2) Business Administrators also.

Cindy Kyzer stated she had heard very positive feedback from the NHSBA.

Beverly Donovan noted that the follow-up with NESDEC (used during their last Superintendent search) was pretty poor.

Motion to Hire NHSBA to Perform the Superintendent Search for $8,000 was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2^nd by Eleanor Burton. Approved 9-0.

Motion to Adjourn under RSA 91 AII (a) was made at 8:36 p.m. by Beth Valentine with a 2^nd by Eleanor Burton.