Norwalk's search for a new superintendent of schools is now in the hands of two experienced recruiters.
Eliza Holcomb and her partner Jakie Jacoby , who are independent contractors for CABE Search Services, say they are ready to give their "undivided attention" to finding a new chief executive for Norwalk's schools.
CABE Search Services was hired by the BOE to conduct the search after several firms submitted proposals over the last month. The firm is affiliated with the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education and has helped to fill superintendent positions in over 60 school districts in CT including cities like New London, Danbury, and West Hartford. They were also involved in Stamford's search for a superintendent 6 years ago.
In an interview with NorwalkNet on Thursday afternoon, Ms. Holcomb said that she has been recruiting superintendents for Connecticut schools for the past 7 1/2 years. She is also president elect of the National School Board Association of Superintendent Searches. Her colleague Ms. Jacoby was the longstanding superintendent for the Glastonbury Public Schools and interim superintendent for the Hartford Public Schools.
"We want to get to know the community and are looking for the input of all stakeholders," said Ms. Holcomb "We plan to hold public forums."
Ms. Holcomb said that in a city like Norwalk, the ideal candidate would be someone who is excited by the opportunity to work in a diverse community and has a track record of success.
Ms. Holcomb did not want to comment on a timeline put out last week by BOE Chair Rosa Murray's which states that applicants will be ready to interview by the end of November, until she has a chance to meet with entire Board on this coming Tuesday night. Ms. Holcomb explained however that the process to find the right candidate to interview usually takes 60-90 days. At the same time she cautioned that the candidate ultimately selected might be obliged by contract to finish out the year at their current school.
In deciding to hire a search firm the BOE made the calculation that its needs would be better served by hiring and expert rather than trying to recruit the next superintendent on its own.
Interim superintendent William Papallo, who has been advising the BOE on the recruitment process wrote in an email to me that cost, while important, was not the primary factor when choosing the CABE search firm. "Cost is always a consideration with any issue," he said. "But the major consideration for this issue was how well the board felt that a search firm could perform the task of presenting quality candidates to the board for consideration in choosing the next superintendent."
According to Dr. Pappallo, the cost for CABE services is, (1) a consulting fee of $15,000 and (2) supplemental expenses (items such as postage, printing, supplies and the like) at $3,500.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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Thank you Monia, for keeping us updated.
ReplyDeleteTypically, one hires a consultant to perform tasks that can't or weren't done in-house. The majority on the Board of Education is hiring a consultant for the superintendent search to gather input "of all stakeholders", "to get to know the community" and "to hold public forums" (as quoted from the article above).
ReplyDeleteYet, these functions are precisely the duties that we would expect our elected officials to perform themselves and not to delegate to an outside consultant.
Yet, in this time when cuts are being made in the classrooms, this Board of Education majority is spending money so that a consultant can tell them what the public thinks.
As a parent and taxpayer, I am flummoxed that the Board of Education incumbents think that this is a wise use of our taxdollars and our limited educational resources.
Mr. Colarossi, what is more disturbing is that there is some thought out there that some of the board members have already decided whom they want to be superintendent of schools. If this thinking is true, then hiring the consultant is a fraud, intended to lead the public to believe that it is an open and honest process.
ReplyDeleteI have read much by you and about you on the Norwalk blogs. I sincerely hope that you win a seat on the board because whether I agree with your votes or not, I doubt that I will ever question your integrity.
Why in this economic climate are we not looking within our own school system? As a Nathan Hale parent I would be loathe to loose him, but I would prefer to take the chance on him rather than some unknown quantity. Hiring the search firm is unnecessary when there are people right under our noses that have a proven record. But hey! its only money right?
ReplyDeleteLooking only within the school system would be most unwise because there is the possibility (probability) that a wider search will produce better candidates, but candidates from within the system are encouraged to apply. If one of them can "hold his own" against outside competition, then he deserves the job. What Norwalk needs is not a "feel good" candidate because that person is from within; Norwalk needs a highly qualified candidate who can provide inspirational leadership.
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