The Lakeland Union School Board Monday took another step to finding a new district administrator with selection of a search company to assist in that endeavor.
Interim administrator Claire Martin presented the board with three executive search firms who returned requests for proposals (RFPs). “I would advise you not to wait long,” she told her board, in order to have a new administrator on board by next summer when her one-year contract expires.
Taking a cue from Martin, school board president Gary Smith asked the board if they wanted to form an ad hoc committee to review the three RFP proposals. But board member Shawn Umland’s motion to select Don Stevens + Associates (DSA) of Sun Prairie that night was unanimously approved.
The Don Stevens + Associates proposal was the least expensive of the three, it was noted. According to their RFP, the fee would be in the neighborhood of $10,000, plus expenses. To keep costs down, DSA suggests holding some meetings with the board via Zoom.
Martin was listed as one of the DSA consultants in the RFP, but she told the board she would not be involved in the search process as a DSA consultant. “I would not be working for them,” she said. “I can’t work for two entities at the same time and certainly would not receive any payment.”
The initial timeline calls for DSA consultants to interview board members on their perspective on what they want in the new administrator, as well as seeking input from school staff and others. DSA would help screen for suitable candidates and assist the board during the interview process.
If the board concurs, the timeline calls for interviews of prospective candidates in mid-January or February, with board action on the final candidate later in February.
It was noted that the Tomahawk School District is also looking for a new district administrator and might be in competition for a candidate.
