School board selects firm to assist with superintendent search

Summerland Public School could potentially have a new superintendent selected for the 2024-2025 school year as early as the first part of February.

The search is currently being advertised online by the Nebraska Association of School Boards, the organization selected by Summerland’s board of education to aide search efforts.

The decision was made Dec. 20, during a special meeting held at the school.

Board president Steven Thiele said following the resignation of Supt. Kyle Finke, at the Dec. 13 board meeting, two firms submitted proposals.

In addition to NASB, the board considered McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, the firm which worked with the district to hire a superintendent in 2021.

A third organization - Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association - expressed interest but did not submit a proposal.

Board member Ed Nordby said McPherson & Jacobson did a good job the last time.

“They’re a little more spendy than NASB, Nordby said. “A lot of the leg work is done already.”

Thiele said both firms have representatives assigned to work with districts.

Thiele said he felt the difference in cost between the two proposals was the addition of a board retreat, offered by NASB.

Thiele said, “Once we get someone hired, they facilitate a retreat for us to get off on the right foot.”

Board member Nate Schwager said another item in NASB’s favor is that the district currently uses NASB’s superintendent evaluation tool.

“We’re tight with that. And Marcia (Herring) came here for the goal planning ... We kind of got a relationship there,” he said.

Schwager also noted that NASB currently has six superintendent listings, while McPherson & Jacobson have one.

Board member Austin Twibell asked how NASB would screen for the position.

“Will NASB strictly stay in Nebraska? Will that be the focus? Or will they reach out?” Twibell asked.

Thiele said he spoke with NASB representatives last week and it seemed, at this point, the number of administrative positions is not as high as a year ago.

“It seemed like the candidate pool may not be as big as in previous years,” Thiele said.

Following a unanimous vote to hire NASB and work directly with Shari Becker, director of search services, the board spoke with Becker via phone. The position will be advertised for four weeks.

She said the advertisement would be on NASB’s website prior to the holiday break. She also planned to email a survey to board members for use to develop a leadership profile.

Becker said survey results will be used to build a one-Page leadership profile, with some “bullet points” to be used in advertising.

On Jan. 9, a board workshop is planned with Becker, scheduled for 3 p.m.

“I’m thinking you could interview toward the end of January if we do it that way,” Becker said.

A district visit will take place in mid-January.

Becker anticipates an application of deadline of Jan. 21. At that point, Becker will present a list of potential candidates for interviews.

She suggested using two days to interview candidates, but will leave it to the board’s discretion.