Allison Schafer Legal Counsel/Director of Policy Carolina Schools Bo… · Allison Schafer Legal Counsel/Director of Policy ... while consultants Tanya Giovanni and Scott Murray will

Allison Schafer

Legal Counsel/Director of Policy

OFFICERS Roberta Scott

President Warren

Carr Ipock President-Elect

Craven Minnie Forte-Brown

Vice President Durham

Jackie Cole Treasurer

Alamance-Burlington Paige Sayles

Immediate Past President Franklin

DIRECTORS

Eltha Booth Beaufort

David Brittain Catawba

Charles Brown Scotland

Amy Churchill Buncombe

Todd Cutler Randolph

Lisa Davis Anson

Glorious Elliott Edenton-Chowan

Billy Griffin Jones

Bruce Hill Lenoir

Sharron Huffman Wilkes

Ron Kiviniemi Transylvania Brian Piercy

McDowell Brenda Stephens

Orange Earl Taylor

Onslow Geoffrey Tennant

Polk Barbara Yates

Columbus

PAST PRESIDENTS Shearra Miller, Cleveland

Evelyn Bulluck, Nash-Rocky Mt Chuck Francis, Haywood

Wendell Hall, Hertford Kenneth Lanier, Pender

Linda Cranford, Asheboro Leonard Peace, Granville

Dr. Christine Fitch, Wilson

P.O. Box 97877 Raleigh, NC 27624

Office: 919.747.6700 Fax: 919.841.4020

[email protected]

COVER MEMORANDUM To: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education From: Allison Schafer Re: Superintendent Search Services Date: March 16, 2016

Please find enclosed the North Carolina School Boards Association’s response to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education’s Request for Information on superintendent search services. NCSBA’s mission is to serve the members of local boards of education in their roles as educational leaders for the over 1.5 million children who attend public schools in North Carolina. We are a member-driven association that supports and advocates for North Carolina school boards. In that role, NCSBA offers its member boards many services including policy assistance, legal and ethics training, risk management, and legislative advocacy. In 1999, NCSBA began offering superintendent search services as well. Since that time, NCSBA has facilitated 141 superintendent searches for 77 North Carolina school boards. We are the most experienced superintendent search service provider in the state by far and one of the most experienced in the nation. After carefully reviewing and considering our proposal, we are confident that your board will see the experience, expertise, and excellent value of NCSBA’s service. We would be honored to assist the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education in its search for a new superintendent and we appreciate the opportunity to provide you with the detailed information about our service.

RESPONSE TO RFI REGARDING

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SERVICES FROM THE

NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

MARCH 16, 2016

TableofContentsRFISpeci ications

Question1.a..............................................................................................................1

Question1.b..............................................................................................................1

Question2..................................................................................................................1

Question3..................................................................................................................2

Question4..................................................................................................................3

Question5..................................................................................................................8

Question6..................................................................................................................8

Question7..................................................................................................................9

Question8.a..............................................................................................................9

Question8.b...........................................................................................................10

Question9.a...........................................................................................................10

Question9.b...........................................................................................................10

Question10............................................................................................................11

Question11............................................................................................................11

AppendixA..................................................................................................Experience

AppendixB..............................................................................................................NASS

AppendixC................................................................................ConsultantResumés

AppendixD................................................................................AdvertisingOptions

AppendixE.............................................................................................CostProposal

AppendixF.......................................................................SchoolBoardReferences

AppendixG..................................................................SuperintendentReferences

AppendixH...................................................................................................SignedRFI

RFI SPECIFICATIONS

©This document is copyrighted by the North Carolina School Boards Association. Unauthorized copying or distribution is prohibited.

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NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SERVICES PROPOSAL

MARCH 16, 2016

1. Please list and briefly describe the following:

a. Your firm’s experience and expertise in conducting Superintendent searches for public school districts with more than 45,000 students (Largest 100 districts in the US) in the past 3 years.

In the past three years, the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) has conducted or is conducting superintendent searches for two districts in North Carolina with more than 45,000 students. In March 2013, NCSBA worked with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education (ADM 53,701) to find its most recent superintendent, Dr. Beverly Emory. Dr. Emory continues her successful tenure leading the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Further, NCSBA is currently working with the Guilford County Board of Education (ADM 72,202) to find its next superintendent. NCSBA is in the process of recruiting candidates and accepting applications for that position until the upcoming deadline of March 23.

Please note, as the state’s school boards association, NCSBA only facilitates superintendent searches within North Carolina, and there are only five districts within North Carolina with over 45,000 students. NCSBA has worked or is currently working with four of those five districts (all except Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools). We conducted the search for Cumberland County Schools (ADM 52,002) in 2009 and assisted with an internal search in Wake County (ADM 156,207) in 2006.

b. Your firm’s involvement in any current superintendent search.

NCSBA is currently assisting the Bertie, Caswell, Guilford, Halifax, Roanoke Rapids, and Union boards with their searches. We have also been contacted within the past week by the Wilson County and Thomasville City boards, seeking assistance with their upcoming searches. Typically, NCSBA conducts 10 or more searches a year. In spite of this high number, NCSBA has consistently demonstrated the ability to work on multiple searches at once without sacrificing the quality of work to any one client. Our staff has experience balancing the time commitments to each district and we can assure the board that we will be 100% committed to helping you find the right superintendent for your district.

2. Please list and briefly describe other relevant searches your firm has conducted for

positions similar to a large public school Superintendent in the past 3 years.

Within the past three years, NCSBA has conducted or is conducting searches for three other large school districts in North Carolina. In December 2013, NCSBA concluded searches for both Gaston County Schools (ADM 31,293) and Onslow County Schools (ADM 26,010). Both


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searches were successful, as each superintendent is still thriving in his respective position. Within the past week, NCSBA received word that the Union County Board of Education (ADM 42,105) voted to use NCSBA’s superintendent search services for a second time (we conducted their prior search in 2012). We will be beginning that search in the near future.

Although the Request for Information appears to limit relevant search experience to “large” public school systems, we would be remiss if we did not at least highlight our broad, long-term experience working with all school systems in North Carolina. NCSBA is by far the most experienced provider of superintendent search services in North Carolina and is among the most experienced in the country. Since we began offering the service in 1999, we have facilitated 141 superintendent searches in the state. Included in Appendix A is a chronological list of every search for which we have provided superintendent search services. On average, we have assisted with over 10 searches a year in the past five fiscal years. We have also worked with 77 of the 115 school districts in North Carolina. Also included in Appendix A is a graphic showing the range and scope of our service statewide. As you can see, many boards have used our service multiple times; we believe this repeat business demonstrates a great satisfaction with our services.

Furthermore, NCSBA is part of an extensive national network of 40 state school boards associations that conduct superintendent searches. This National School Boards Association (NSBA) affiliated work-alike group is called the National Affiliation of Superintendent Searchers (NASS). See Appendix B for more information regarding NASS. Members of NASS work together to share information about quality candidates for positions and to assist each other in our searches. Allison Schafer has personally worked with the NASS group for a number of years and will be the national chair of the group beginning in April. We will be able to call on this national network of search professionals to recruit strong candidates from across the country, check references, and otherwise get access to great candidates and critical information. Additionally, through this group we have access to a national database of individuals seeking superintendent positions and will be able to recruit from that database.

In sum, the combined experience of the NCSBA staff is unparalleled. Were we to assist you with your search, you would have all these resources available to support you. We know what works and what does not work, and we have the experience and expertise to smoothly guide the board through this complex and important process.

3. Which individual consultants will lead and participate in the search? Are they the same

individual consultants who conducted the searches described above? If not, why?

Allison Schafer is the lead consultant, while consultants Tanya Giovanni and Scott Murray will also be very involved in the search process. These three individuals are the same consultants who have conducted the searches described above. We believe this stability, continuity, and collective experience is vital to the service we provide. Consultant resumés are included in Appendix C.

Furthermore, all three consultants are licensed North Carolina attorneys who are well-versed in the legal requirements applicable to superintendent searches in this state. This is a significant asset that no other search firm offers.


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The qualifications of each individual search consultant are listed below.

Allison Schafer – NCSBA Legal Counsel/Director of Policy The leader of your search team will be Allison Schafer. Ms. Schafer is a well-respected education law attorney who has practiced school law in North Carolina for over 29 years. Ms. Schafer began NSCBA’s superintendent search service in 1999, shortly after coming to NCSBA from private law practice. Prior to joining NCSBA, Ms. Schafer practiced education law for 12 years with Tharrington Smith, L.L.P. in Raleigh – a law firm that has represented many school districts across the state. She performed a number of superintendent search services while in private practice and so was uniquely poised to begin and grow the service at NCSBA. Ms. Schafer has personally supervised all 141 of the searches conducted by the Association. This makes Ms. Schafer the most experienced superintendent search provider, by far, in the state of North Carolina and one of the most experienced in the United States. Ms. Schafer is well-respected by her colleagues at the state and national levels. She is currently the Chair-elect of the National Affiliation of Superintendent Searchers and is a past Chair of both the National Council of School Attorneys and North Carolina Council of School Attorneys. In 2008, she was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award presented by the Education Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. Tanya Giovanni – Staff Attorney Ms. Giovanni came to NCSBA in 2008 after 14 years as a successful litigator in the metropolitan St. Louis area. She graduated from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. She has assisted in 80 searches in over six years at NCSBA. Scott Murray – Staff Attorney Mr. Murray joined the NCSBA staff in February 2011 and has since assisted in 57 superintendent searches. He earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and spent his law school summers working at Tharrington Smith, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Justice Education Law Section before taking on his current role at NCSBA. Mr. Murray also has classroom experience as a former high school English teacher in Guilford County.

4. Briefly describe your process for conducting this search successfully, including an aggressive but realistic timeline from engagement to placement, assuming that engagement will begin in mid-April 2016.

Search Process The process described below is recommended based on NCSBA’s extensive experience with superintendent searches. At each stage of the process, the board is consulted about


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recommended next steps. All documents are brought to the board for its consideration. Ms. Schafer and her staff will be available for phone calls, emails, and meetings as often as is needed. NCSBA is very respectful of the board’s role throughout the process. This is ultimately the board’s search and the board is, at all times, in control of the process it wishes to follow. Changes to the process can be made at any time at the board’s direction. As consultants, our role is to make the process as smooth and easy as possible by handling the procedural and logistical aspects of the search, while reserving the substantive decisions for the board. Our expertise and recommendations will assist the board, but the board is always in charge. Advertising and Recruiting NCSBA staff will advertise the vacancy through various avenues. NCSBA recommends advertising in a broad yet cost-effective manner. For example, NCSBA’s website hosts a superintendent search page that includes advertising of currently open superintendent positions in the state. Candidates looking for a position in North Carolina generally know that they should check the page regularly. NCSBA also uses a variety of advertising sites and listservs to reach across the state, region, and nation. See Appendix D for a list of advertising options. In addition to web advertising and listserv dissemination, NCSBA is able to tap into a broad network – including current and former superintendents, board members, and board attorneys – to locate and recruit individuals who may not otherwise apply. NCSBA also utilizes contacts from other state associations and national organizations including the National Affiliation of Superintendent Searchers (NASS). Stakeholder Input An essential part of our superintendent search service includes assisting the board in gathering community and staff input in a variety of ways, including online staff and community surveys, public comment at board meetings, and community organizational statements. NCSBA stresses the need to obtain this invaluable public input before reviewing the applications. This approach reassures staff and community members that the board is carefully considering their opinions prior to making any decisions on applicants. Some search firms offer to meet with individual stakeholders and report back to the board. However, we strongly believe that the board needs to be the “face” of the search, so as not to give the impression that any outside consultants are the decision-makers. The board should hear directly from the community and not through a consultant. Application Management NCSBA utilizes a software program called Applitrack to set up an online application system for candidates to apply for your open position. NCSBA also has significant staff resources that allow for the orderly and efficient processing of applications and presentation of completed applications to board members. As part of its service, NCSBA staff will assist the board in preparing a customized application form for its use. The links to access the online application form will be distributed as part of the advertising process.


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After the applications are received and processed by NCSBA, we will send each board member a user ID and password to access a secure online website that will contain PDFs of all applicant information and supplementary materials. Note, board members may also request in advance that NCSBA provide paper copies of the application materials. Due to the diligence and experience of our staff, we are usually able to process all applications received within one to two weeks of the application deadline and make them accessible to board members for review. Interviews Prior to the candidate interviews, NCSBA will set up a closed session meeting with the board to discuss the interview process. The board will select candidates to interview and decide on the location, date, time, format, questions to be asked, etc. If asked, NCSBA will provide factual information about the candidates but will not endorse or oppose the selection of any particular candidate. After meeting with the board, NCSBA will communicate with each candidate individually to schedule the interviews. NCSBA will provide an attorney to facilitate each interview, protect the confidentiality of the process, keep legally compliant minutes, and ensure that all meetings comply with the state Open Meetings Law. However, we will not sit in on or participate in the individual interviews. Again, under state law, the board is the sole and ultimate decision-maker; thus, we do not want to give the impression that any outside consultant is influencing the board’s decision. Following the initial interviews, an NCSBA consultant will join the board in closed session and facilitate the discussion selecting finalists and scheduling final interviews. Again, NCSBA will not endorse or oppose the selection of any particular candidate. Due Diligence: Criminal and Credit Checks After the first round of interviews but before the second round of interviews, NCSBA recommends that full due diligence reports be conducted on all finalists for the superintendent position. NCSBA recommends and uses a nationally known company to conduct such reports. This company does an excellent job at a very reasonable price and has a great working relationship with NCSBA. NCSBA will facilitate the due diligence process pursuant to all applicable state and federal laws governing the use and procurement of finalists’ background information. The NCSBA attorneys are particularly adept at navigating the highly regulated and complex area of law related to background checks. Employment Reference Checks NCSBA will also assist the board in conducting professional reference checks at this time. Because of the intrusive nature of these inquiries, NCSBA recommends that these checks be done only on the finalists for the position, so as not to jeopardize the jobs of those candidates who are not in serious contention.


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Most boards ask NCSBA to conduct reference checks by phone and submit them to the board in writing. We are in a position to easily check references of in-state candidates, since all 115 North Carolina school system boards of education and the Cherokee Central School Board of Education are members of NCSBA. We know the boards, superintendents, and board attorneys in each district. They are all helpful, responsive, and honest with us. For out-of-state candidates, we can take advantage of our national network of affiliated superintendent search groups. For all references, we use an exhaustive reference form, ask pointed questions, and take the time to ensure that we collect full and complete information for the board to review. Selection of Superintendent Following the second (and usually final) round of interviews, an NCSBA consultant will join the board in closed session and facilitate the discussion to select a superintendent. As always, NCSBA will be careful not to endorse or oppose the selection of any particular candidate. Note, NCSBA will provide the board with sample superintendent contracts as a reference prior to any contract discussions. However, by law, the local board attorney is the only appropriate person to assist the board with negotiating and drafting the particular terms of the contract. NCSBA will not participate in the contract negotiations, as it is not representing the board in a legal capacity. Final Steps Once the board has made a final decision and signed a contract with its next superintendent, NCSBA will continue to assist with the final stages of the process by drafting a press release introducing the new superintendent to the community. Finally, at the end of the search process, NCSBA will submit drafts of all minutes to the board for review and approval. Draft Timelines The draft timelines below are organized based on the process NCSBA typically recommends. The average duration of a search is five to six months. We have provided two draft timelines below: one “aggressive” timeline as requested, and one with a start date of July 1, 2017 for the new superintendent. Please note that all suggested dates on both timelines are flexible and can be adjusted as necessary to meet the board’s needs. We should also note that NCSBA offers its consulting service not for a particular length of time, but rather until the board is satisfied with the search and has made a final superintendent selection. In the rare event that the board is not happy with the initial applicant pool or not satisfied after either round of interviews, Ms. Schafer and the NCSBA search team will continue to work with the board to revise the timeline, reassess the process, and/or recruit more candidates, depending on the particular needs of the board.


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CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

DRAFT TIMELINE #1 (Aggressive) April 19, 2016 Meeting to Consider and Approve Initial

Documents (e.g., timeline, vacancy advertisement, application form, surveys, etc.)

April 20, 2016 Advertising of Vacancy Begins

April 20 – May 30, 2016 Community/Staff Input Period (e.g., online surveys, public comment, community forums, etc.)

June 7, 2016* Meeting to Review Public Input and to Draft Custom Leadership Profile

June 13, 2016 APPLICATION DEADLINE

June 24, 2016 NCSBA Makes Application Materials Available to Board Members

June 24 – July 5, 2016 Board Reviews Applications

July 5, 2016 Meeting to Select Semi-Finalists and Plan Initial Interviews

July 18-31, 2016 Meeting(s) for Initial Interviews and to Select Finalists and Plan Final Interviews

During the period between the initial and final interviews, NCSBA will conduct complete and thorough reference checks and request the criminal and credit

background checks of the finalists in compliance with applicable laws.

August 22-26, 2016 Meeting(s) for Final Interviews and to Decide on Terms of Offer

August 26-31, 2016 Contract Discussions

Prior to the public announcement of the new superintendent, NCSBA will send regret letters to all unsuccessful applicants on behalf of the board.

September 1, 2016 Announcement and Introduction of Superintendent

October 1, 2016 Employment to Begin After This Date *Regularly scheduled meeting.


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CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

DRAFT TIMELINE #2 (July 1, 2017 Start Date) April 19, 2016 Meeting to Consider and Approve Timeline and

Public Input Options April 20 – June 15, 2016 Community/Staff Input Period (e.g., online

surveys, public comment, community forums, etc.)

June 28, 2016* Meeting to Review Public Input and Consider and Approve Vacancy Advertisement, Application Form, and Advertising Options

September 1, 2016 Advertising of Vacancy Begins

January 9, 2017 APPLICATION DEADLINE

January 20, 2017 NCSBA Makes Application Materials Available to Board Members

January 20 – February 7, 2017 Board Reviews Applications

February 7, 2017 Meeting to Select Semi-Finalists and Plan Initial Interviews

February 27 – March 10, 2017 Meeting(s) for Initial Interviews and to Select Finalists and Plan Final Interviews

During the period between the initial and final interviews, NCSBA will conduct complete and thorough reference checks and request the criminal and credit

background checks of the finalists in compliance with applicable laws.

April 3-7, 2017 Meeting(s) for Final Interviews and to Decide on Terms of Offer

April 7-17, 2017 Contract Discussions

Prior to the public announcement of the new superintendent, NCSBA will send regret letters to all unsuccessful applicants on behalf of the board.

April 17, 2017 Announcement and Introduction of Superintendent

July 1, 2017 Employment to Begin No Later Than This Date *Regularly scheduled meeting.


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5. Which assessments (5 factor personality assessment, MBTI, etc.) do you include as part of your process? Why?

NCSBA does not use any type of personality assessment or other pre-employment assessment tool as part of its search process. NCSBA staff attorneys have conducted extensive research on the use, efficacy, and legal concerns surrounding pre-hire assessments (including e.g., MMPI, Myers-Briggs, Gallup’s StrengthsFinder, AppliFit, TeacherMatch, Infor, etc.). We understand that the use and prevalence of these types of assessments (and the companies that market them) have grown tremendously in recent years – especially in the private sector. The trend of companies relying on “people analytics” or “big data” in their HR practices has certainly grabbed headlines; Time magazine recently estimated the value of the industry at $2 billion. However, the research on the effectiveness of such tests is inconclusive. Some studies have found little to no correlation between one’s personality test score and future job performance. Moreover, many of the tests in the education sector are geared towards teachers and principals and may not translate as well to the particular skills and personality traits necessary to successfully lead an entire school system. Applicants generally view such pre-hire assessments as intrusive and unnecessarily time-consuming. Not to mention the concern that, from a legal standpoint, certain questions on these pre-hire assessments may infringe on one’s constitutional right to privacy or have a disparate impact on a protected class of citizen based on race, gender, religion, disability, etc. Many of these types of assessments have been challenged in court and resulted in large settlement payouts from employers. In fact, the EEOC is currently in the process of consolidating several complaints into a large-scale investigation into whether certain personality tests unlawfully discriminate against individuals with disabilities such as depression and bi-polar disorder. Thus, after careful consideration, NCSBA has determined that, on balance, the risks in using such assessments outweigh the potential benefits, at least until a particular test can be shown to correlate directly to future superintendent performance and stand up to legal scrutiny. That said, if the board, after consultation with its own legal counsel, directs NCSBA to use or arrange for the use of a particular pre-hire assessment as part of the search, NCSBA will implement the will of the board accordingly.

6. What information about the candidates will you share with us? In what format, written

or verbal? At what point in the process?

Unlike many other search firms, NCSBA does not “screen” candidates. Under North Carolina law, “each local board of education has the sole discretion to elect a superintendent of schools.” Given that the board is the explicit decision-maker by law, NCSBA believes that no entity other than the board should make decisions to eliminate applicants. Therefore, NCSBA will send each board member a user ID and password to access a secure online website that will contain PDFs of all applicant information and supplementary materials. Note, board members may also request in advance that NCSBA provide paper copies of the application materials. NCSBA also will provide several tools that will assist the board in evaluating and screening candidates efficiently. For instance, once NCSBA receives all the applications, staff attorneys


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research each candidate on the Internet to find publicly available background information that is legally appropriate to share. This ensures that each board member has access to the same information from credible and reputable sources. In addition to the Internet searches, we will provide the past four years of state test scores for each applicant’s district or school. In addition to the Internet searches and other information about candidates, we provide an experience chart. Many boards find this document particularly helpful when reviewing and screening the initial applicant pool. Also, as stated above, if asked directly about a candidate (whether in person, on the phone, or via email) by a board member, NCSBA will only provide objective, factual information but will not attempt to influence the board’s decision in any way.

7. How do you manage candidate confidentiality on a search such as this one?

Under North Carolina’s personnel laws covering school employees, an applicant’s name and other information related to his or her application for a position are not allowed to be released to the public without the applicant’s consent. Candidate confidentiality, to the extent required by law, will be the highest priority at NCSBA. All inquiries and applications are carefully handled so that the identity of applicants and the information they submit is protected. Only those in the NCSBA legal section who actually work on superintendent searches have access to the paper and electronic files of the candidates; only they know who has applied or even inquired about the position. In addition, for all background checks and professional reference calls, confidentiality of applicant information is carefully maintained. NCSBA attorneys are well-versed in the applicable state and federal laws governing the use and procurement of such personal information. Occasionally, but not often, North Carolina boards choose to publicly release the finalists’ names and credentials, invite the finalists to visit the community, and/or publicly interview the finalists. NCSBA recommends that such a decision be considered carefully and that the board at least wait until it has selected the finalists before deciding whether to ask for their consent to release confidential candidate information.

8. Conflicts of Interest/Off-Limits Policy a. What are your off-limits policies? Be specific in describing how your policies affect

your ability to ethically source qualified candidates for this search.

NCSBA does not have an “off-limits” policy per se. We send out information about vacancies to all of the superintendents and central offices in the state. Any individual who wants to apply for a position in a search conducted by NCSBA is welcome to apply. We also recruit individuals that we think would be a good fit for the particular board, but we have an unofficial rule that we try not to actively recruit recently placed superintendents. However, if such an individual is interested in a position, we cannot and will not prevent them from applying.


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We also do not have any issues with recruiting out-of-state superintendents as we do not conduct searches for boards outside of North Carolina.

b. Has your firm ever had any type of financial relationship with any candidate that was

included in any search with which your firm was involved? If so, when and how was the relationship disclosed to your client?

No. We represent school boards exclusively and do not have a financial relationship with any candidates.

9. Please describe and itemize the anticipated costs of this search:

a. What are your fees and fee structure?

NCSBA charges a $16,750 consulting fee for searches, plus any authorized expenses. A detailed cost proposal is provided in Appendix E. Because NCSBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting school boards, we do not make a profit on this service; we deliver it at or below cost. Most other individuals or organizations that offer this service are for-profit. To our knowledge, we are the least expensive organization that regularly conducts national superintendent searches in the state of North Carolina. The total cost of the search will vary depending on several factors, including the number of out-of-state or distant in-state candidates you invite to interview and whether you decide to pay for those travel costs. We would anticipate your final bill being no more than $27,000, unless the board decides to pay an unusually high amount in advertising costs or travel costs for candidates.

b. What is the estimated range of expenses? Will you agree to cap certain expenses?

Any expenses on top of the consulting fee are charged back to the board at cost. We find that additional expenses typically range from $5,000 to $10,000, though costs will vary depending on a number of factors. We will request permission from the board before incurring expenses on its behalf and will submit receipts for these expenses with the final invoice. However, NCSBA does not cap expenses.

Estimated Expenses

1. Travel for NCSBA Staff $1,500 2. Advertising $1,600 3. Interview Meeting Room and Meals $1,500 4. Finalist Background Checks $1,300 5. Travel for Candidates $2,400 6. Large-scale Copying $1,200 Total Estimated Expenses $9,500


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10. Are there any current legal claims, whether officially filed or not, pending against your firm? Have there been any legal claims, whether officially filed or not, made against your firm in the past 5 years?

No.

11. Make your case - What key attributes or differentiators make your firm the most

qualified to conduct this search? Experience The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) is by far the most experienced provider of superintendent search services in North Carolina and is among the most experienced in the country. We have facilitated 141 superintendent searches in the state of North Carolina for 77 school boards in the last 17 years. The combined experience of the NCSBA staff is unparalleled. We know what works and what does not work, and we have the experience and expertise to smoothly guide the board through this complex and important process. Excellence We are the best at what we do. Our record of satisfied boards demonstrates our commitment and success. We also have a proven record of satisfied applicants; whether or not they end up getting the job, we treat all candidates with respect and impartiality. We strongly encourage the board to contact any of the references provided in Section VI below and review the letters of recommendation included in Appendix F and Appendix G. Our continued success is due in part to the reputation we have earned over time for the excellent job we have done for our client districts in past searches. We have developed a process that is effective and efficient. We are particularly proud of our number of repeat clients; very often, districts that have previously used our services choose to use us again when they find themselves in need of a new superintendent. Legal Expertise As stated above, the fact that the NCSBA consultants are all licensed North Carolina attorneys provides a distinct advantage over other search firms. Our intimate knowledge of the legal landscape is essential in keeping the board from running afoul of legal requirements peculiar to North Carolina, such as the Open Meetings Law, the Public Records Law, and Personnel Confidentiality Laws. In fact, in her role as Legal Counsel for NCSBA, Ms. Schafer is responsible for teaching school board members, school administrators, and school attorneys across the state about these laws. There are also applicable federal laws that control the provision of such services. The NCSBA superintendent search consultants are experts in these areas of the law and also teach other state association search consultants about them. Accessibility The ability to communicate efficiently and effectively with NCSBA staff is paramount both for the board and potential applicants. Ms. Schafer and the other attorney team members will be


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accessible by telephone (work and personal cell), email, and/or text message essentially any waking hour of the day including holidays and weekends. If you want to meet with us in person, we can just drive a short way down the road. Passion This is “our state.” North Carolina public schools are our schools—the ones our own children attend or have attended and the ones some of us attended. We have every motivation and desire to help find you the best superintendent possible. Our mission is to serve North Carolina boards of education. We are passionate about fulfilling that mission. We work diligently to assist our boards, not just when they are searching for a superintendent, but any time they call upon us. We will be there for the board long after the superintendent search is over.

APPENDIX A

NCSBASUPERINTENDENTSEARCHSTATUSREPORTMARCH16,2016

Number LEA AcademicYear Status

1 Martin County 1999-2000 CLOSED2 Alamance-Burlington 1999-2000 CLOSED3 Richmond County 1999-2000 CLOSED4 Harnett County 1999-2000 CLOSED5 Catawba County 1999-2000 CLOSED6 Granville County 1999-2000 CLOSED7 Rowan-Salisbury 2000-2001 CLOSED8 Lincoln County 2000-2001 CLOSED9 Roanoke Rapids 2000-2001 CLOSED10 Montgomery County 2000-2001 CLOSED11 Lee County 2001-2002 CLOSED12 Weldon City 2001-2002 CLOSED13 Currituck County 2001-2002 CLOSED14 Brunswick County 2001-2002 CLOSED15 Jones County 2001-2002 CLOSED16 Iredell-Statesville 2001-2002 CLOSED17 Hertford County 2001-2002 CLOSED18 Northampton County 2002-2003 CLOSED19 Orange County 2002-2003 CLOSED20 Vance County 2002-2003 CLOSED21 Robeson Public Schools 2002-2003 CLOSED22 Warren County 2002-2003 CLOSED23 Shelby City 2002-2003 CLOSED24 Johnston County 2003-2004 CLOSED25 Pender County 2003-2004 CLOSED26 Bladen County 2003-2004 CLOSED27 Lenoir County 2003-2004 CLOSED28 Stanly County 2003-2004 CLOSED29 Chatham County 2004-2005 CLOSED30 Pamlico County 2004-2005 CLOSED31 Catawba County 2004-2005 CLOSED32 Bertie County 2004-2005 CLOSED33 Northampton County 2004-2005 CLOSED34 Pitt County 2004-2005 CLOSED35 Newton-Conover 2004-2005 CLOSED36 Weldon City 2004-2005 CLOSED37 Duplin County 2005-2006 CLOSED38 Robeson Public Schools 2005-2006 CLOSED39 Montgomery County 2005-2006 CLOSED40 Wake County 2005-2006 CLOSED41 Alamance-Burlington 2005-2006 CLOSED42 Macon County 2006-2007 CLOSED43 Cleveland County 2006-2007 CLOSED44 Onslow County 2006-2007 CLOSED45 Hertford County 2006-2007 CLOSED46 Halifax County 2006-2007 CLOSED47 Richmond County 2006-2007 CLOSED48 Mooresville City 2006-2007 CLOSED49 Person County 2006-2007 CLOSED


50 Anson County 2006-2007 CLOSED51 Whiteville City 2006-2007 CLOSED52 Carteret County 2006-2007 CLOSED53 Granville County 2006-2007 CLOSED54 Bertie County 2006-2007 CLOSED55 Orange County 2007-2008 CLOSED56 Cabarrus County 2007-2008 CLOSED57 Sampson County 2007-2008 CLOSED58 Chatham County 2007-2008 CLOSED59 Cherokee County 2007-2008 CLOSED60 Northampton County 2007-2008 CLOSED61 Jones County 2007-2008 CLOSED62 Pamlico County 2008-2009 CLOSED63 Carteret County 2008-2009 CLOSED64 Lexington City 2008-2009 CLOSED65 Tyrrell County 2008-2009 CLOSED66 Hickory City 2008-2009 CLOSED67 Whiteville City 2008-2009 CLOSED68 Bladen County 2008-2009 CLOSED69 Cumberland County 2008-2009 CLOSED70 Hertford County 2008-2009 CLOSED71 Washington County 2008-2009 CLOSED72 Burke County 2009-2010 CLOSED73 Beaufort County 2009-2010 CLOSED74 Brunswick County 2009-2010 CLOSED75 Clinton City 2009-2010 CLOSED76 Martin County 2009-2010 CLOSED77 Durham Public Schools 2009-2010 CLOSED78 Duplin County 2009-2010 CLOSED79 Kannapolis City 2009-2010 CLOSED80 New Hanover County 2009-2010 CLOSED81 Camden County 2009-2010 CLOSED82 Montgomery County 2010-2011 CLOSED83 Catawba County 2010-2011 CLOSED84 Wilson County 2010-2011 CLOSED85 Bertie County 2010-2011 CLOSED86 Chapel Hill-Carrboro City 2010-2011 CLOSED87 Lincoln County 2010-2011 CLOSED88 Alamance-Burlington 2010-2011 CLOSED89 Bladen County 2010-2011 CLOSED90 Davie County 2010-2011 CLOSED91 Nash-Rocky Mount 2010-2011 CLOSED92 Harnett County 2010-2011 CLOSED93 Currituck County 2010-2011 CLOSED94 Vance County 2010-2011 CLOSED95 Hickory City 2010-2011 CLOSED96 Pender County 2011-2012 CLOSED97 Craven County 2011-2012 CLOSED98 Moore County 2011-2012 CLOSED99 Edgecombe County 2011-2012 CLOSED100 Hertford County 2011-2012 CLOSED


101 Catawba County 2011-2012 CLOSED102 Clinton City 2011-2012 CLOSED103 Union County 2011-2012 CLOSED104 Washington County 2012-2013 CLOSED105 Macon County 2012-2013 CLOSED106 Randolph County 2012-2013 CLOSED107 Newton-Conover 2012-2013 CLOSED108 Winston-Salem/Forsyth 2012-2013 CLOSED109 Person County 2013-2014 CLOSED110 Anson County 2013-2014 CLOSED111 Orange County 2013-2014 CLOSED112 Pitt County 2013-2014 CLOSED113 Rowan-Salisbury 2013-2014 CLOSED114 Thomasville City 2013-2014 CLOSED115 Franklin County 2013-2014 CLOSED116 Onslow County 2013-2014 CLOSED117 Sampson County 2013-2014 CLOSED118 Gaston County 2013-2014 CLOSED119 Edenton-Chowan 2013-2014 CLOSED120 Asheboro City 2013-2014 CLOSED121 Northampton County 2013-2014 CLOSED122 Moore County 2013-2014 CLOSED123 Caswell County 2013-2014 CLOSED124 Cleveland County 2013-2014 CLOSED125 Alamance-Burlington 2014-2015 CLOSED126 Orange County 2014-2015 CLOSED127 Elizabeth City-Pasquotank 2014-2015 CLOSED128 Brunswick County 2014-2015 CLOSED129 Weldon City 2014-2015 CLOSED130 Tyrrell County 2014-2015 CLOSED131 Robeson Public Schools 2014-2015 CLOSED132 Vance County 2014-2015 CLOSED133 Hickory City 2014-2015 CLOSED134 Roanoke Rapids 2015-2016 PENDING135 Hertford County 2015-2016 CLOSED136 Nash-Rocky Mount 2015-2016 CLOSED137 Bertie County 2015-2016 PENDING138 Halifax County 2015-2016 PENDING139 Caswell County 2015-2016 PENDING140 Guilford County 2015-2016 PENDING141 Union County 2015-2016 PENDING

NCSBA Superintendent

Search Experience

Alamance-Burlington

Anson County

Asheboro City

Beaufort County

Bertie County

Bladen County

Brunswick County

Burke County

Cabarrus County

Camden County

Carteret County

Caswell County

Catawba County

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City

Chatham County

Cherokee County

Cleveland County

Clinton City

Craven County

Cumberland County

Currituck County

Davie County

Duplin County

Durham Public Schools

Edenton-Chowan

Edgecombe County

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank

Franklin County

Gaston County

Granville County

Guilford County

Halifax County

Harnett County

Hertford County

Hickory City

Iredell-Statesville

Johnston County

Jones County

Kannapolis City

Lee County

Lenoir County

Lexington City

Lincoln County

Macon County

Martin County

Montgomery County

Moore County

Mooresville City

Nash-Rocky Mount

New Hanover County

Newton-Conover

Northampton County

Onslow County

Orange County

Pamlico County

Pender County

Person County

Pitt County

Randolph County

Richmond County

Roanoke Rapids

Robeson Public Schools

Rowan-Salisbury

Sampson County

Shelby City

Stanly County

Thomasville City

Tyrrell County

Union County

Vance County

Wake County

Warren County

Washington County

Weldon City

Whiteville City

Wilson County

Winston-Salem/Forsyth

APPENDIX B

NASS - National Affiliation of Superintendent Searchers

– Supported by the National School Boards Association –

August 2015

Dear School Board Members:

You are facing one of the most significant decisions that you will make as a school board member – selecting a superintendent. No other staff member will likely have more long-term impact in your school district. Choosing the most highly qualified individual who also represents the ideal fit in your community will be critical.

The members of National Affiliation of Superintendent Searchers (NASS) stand ready – as the most experienced network of search professionals in the United States – to execute a national campaign to find your district’s next superintendent. NASS consultants are located in 35 states and include more than 60 consultants serving as superintendent searchers for school board associations throughout the country. Supported by the National School Boards Association (NSBA), NASS harnesses the skills and experiences of many search professionals with proven track records of accomplishment, characterized by integrity, passion and focus. Your state school board association’s search professional and NASS member knows state and local laws, knows your district, and understands each search is unique. He or she knows your school board wants a customized search to meet your community’s specific needs and understands the need to maintain a successful, long-term relationship between your board and your state school board association.

NASS members serve school boards every day. As chairman of NASS, I can promise you receive individual, customized attention and a commitment from your NASS professionals to assist in a dedicated and confidential manner, as state laws permit. The successful executive search begins with a strong team of professional search consultants and ends with a solid, long-term relationship between the school district and its top administrative leaders. The NASS mission is finding top executive leadership for school districts throughout the United States through our core values – ethics, integrity, leadership, and teamwork. If retaining a successful, long-term leader is a priority for your district, rely on a NASS consultant!

Susan Salter NASS Chairman

National affiliation of

superintendent searchers

(Nass)

Alabama

Arizona

Alaska

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Jersey

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

Wyoming

APPENDIX C

ALLISON BROWN SCHAFER

WORK

EXPERIENCE

February 1998 - NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

present Raleigh, NC

Position: Director of Policy/Legal Counsel

Duties: Oversees administration of superintendent searches for North Carolina

school districts. In-house legal counsel for the North Carolina School Boards

Association. Serves as a resource on legal issues for all members, including all

115 North Carolina school boards and the Cherokee Nation Board of Education.

Provides in-service training for school board members and school administrators.

Participates in legislative and policy initiatives. Oversees filing of amicus briefs

in appellate courts. Oversees policy services to North Carolina school systems.

Participates as representative to the National Affiliate of Superintendent Searches,

a National School Boards Association affiliated organization with 36 state

association members. Served as chair of the National Council of School

Attorneys, another NSBA affiliated organization.

October 1985 - THARRINGTON SMITH

December 1997 Raleigh, NC

Positions: Partner, Jan. 1993-Dec. 1997; Associate, Oct. 1985-Dec. 1992

Duties: Engaged in the practice of education law for numerous education clients,

including the North Carolina School Boards Association, the Wake County Board

of Education and many other boards of education in North Carolina.

Responsibilities included the daily advising of local school system administrators

on school law matters, attending school board meetings and advising clients,

drafting school board policies and representing school boards in various types of

litigation.

September 1983 - FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA

August 1985 Raleigh, NC

Position: Law Clerk for the Honorable W. Earl Britt

Duties: Researched and drafted legal memoranda, orders, jury instructions and

other legal documents. Scheduled hearings and other court matters.

EDUCATION

August 1980 - WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

May 1983 Winston-Salem, NC

Juris Doctor, May 1983

September 1975 - KNOX COLLEGE

June 1979 Galesburg, IL

Bachelor of Arts, 1979, cum laude, Sociology/Anthropology with emphasis in

English Writing, French and Geology

PROFESSIONAL

ASSOCIATIONS National Council of School Attorneys

Chair, Executive Council, April 2013 to April 2014

Vice Chair, Executive Council, April 2012 to April 2013

Secretary, Executive Council, April 2011 to April 2012

Executive Council, 2005 to 2009 and 2011 to present

Member 1985 to present

North Carolina Council of School Attorneys

Executive Council, 1989 to 1994 and 1996 to present

Chairman, 1998-99

Vice President, 1997-98

Secretary/Treasurer, 1996-97

Member, 1985 to present

American Bar Association

North Carolina Bar Association

Education Law Section, Executive Council 1988 to 1994

Member, 1985 to present

OTHER 2008 Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award

Education Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association

PERSONAL Husband: John C. Schafer

Children: Jennifer Schafer, 25 years old;

Eric Schafer, 22 years old

Allison Schafer, left, accepts award from Ann Majestic.

Allison Schafer Garners Ed Law Award

Article Date: Friday, May 02, 2008

Written By: Russell Rawlings

Allison Brown Schafer was honored Friday as the 2008 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award presented by the Education Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.

The award was presented during the section’s annual meeting at the N.C. Bar Center in Cary. Ann Majestic, a former law firm colleague and previous recipient of the award, made the presentation.

Schafer serves as legal counsel and director of policy for the N.C. School Boards Association, a position she has held since 1998. She previously served as an associate (1985-92) and partner (1993-97) with Tharrington Smith in Raleigh, and as a law clerk for Judge W. Earl Britt from 1983-85.

A native of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, she is married to John C. Schafer of the N.C. Industrial Commission who is also an NCBA member. They have two children, Jennifer and Eric.

Schafer received her bachelor’s degree from Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., in 1979. She earned her law degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1983.

She served on the Education Law Section council from 1988-94. In addition, she has twice been a member of the executive council of the N.C. Council of School Attorneys, from 1989-94 and since 1996. She served as chair in 1998-99.

Schafer has also served on the executive council of the National Council of School Attorneys since 2003.

“Allison is one of the people that you can talk to on a lawyer-to-lawyer level or on a teacher-to-teacher level . . . and come away knowing that she is genuinely concerned about your question or situation,” her nomination noted, “and if she does not know the answer she will find it or help you find it.

“Allison has a great deal of experience in various areas of the law which has been helpful for her in the area of education law in which she has concentrated for the last 23 years.”

The award was established in 1990 to recognize “outstanding leadership by an attorney in the field of education law.” It is presented as merited to “an attorney who has a record of professional, community and personal achievement in the representation or affiliation with educational institutions, including public and private schools and colleges or universities, involvement with parents, teachers, faculty or administrators in the field of education law.”

Previous recipients of the award were Edwin Speas Jr. (1990), John Hardy (1991), Robert Phay (1992), Laurie Mesibov (1993), George Rogister Jr. (1994), Douglas Punger (1995), Wardlaw Lamar (1996), Ann Majestic (1998), Phillip Dixon Sr. (2003), Elizabeth “Betsy” Bunting (2004), Walter L. Currie (2005), John Gresham (2006) and Thomas Ziko (2007).

Last Update: Thursday, August 14, 2008

Page 1 of 1Allison Schafer Garners Ed Law Award

9/22/2010http://www.ncbar.org/about/communications/news/2008-news-articles/ed-law-award.aspx

TANYA J. GIOVANNI 7208 Falls of Neuse Road Work (919) 747-6701 Raleigh, North Carolina 27624 [email protected]

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Staff Attorney - October 2008 through Present North Carolina School Boards Association --- Raleigh, North Carolina

Draft and review contracts between the association and third parties; oversee updating and distribution of internal association policies; research statutes, regulations and case law to provide recommendation memoranda and presentations on corporate legal issues affecting the association.

Monitor compliance with federal and state laws, including FLSA and FCRA, and provide opinions on proposed actions of association, including best practices under Sarbanes-Oxley.

Respond to inquiries/requests for information from board members, attorneys and administrators pertaining to a variety of legal topics, including employment and personnel administration, open meetings, public records, and policy compliance with FLSA, FMLA, ADA, IDEA, OSHA and the unemployment compensation laws.

Provide superintendent search services to local boards of education requiring contact with high-level candidates and board members, facilitation of board meetings, preparing all necessary documents and forms, and obtaining references/background checks.

Conduct and assist with workshops, training sessions, oral presentations and PowerPoint presentations to various groups to advise of pertinent and significant issues, including liability, employment discrimination, organization governance and whistleblower requirements.

Attorney-Consultant - May 2008 through September 2008 Huron Consulting Group --- Morrisville, North Carolina

Reviewed highly confidential documents for various Fortune 500 companies for compliance with regulatory agency requests and complex litigation.

Senior Lead Litigation Attorney - May 1997 through April 2008 Williams & Associates --- St. Louis, Missouri

Represented a diverse group of clients and developed trial strategies in civil litigation matters.

Counseled diverse array of clients and developed appropriate and winning trial strategies.

Lead trial counsel on all files in litigation. Lead mediator and negotiator for all pending claims. Responsible for pursuing and resolving a wide variety of liability claims

Attorney - October 1994 through May 1997

Bono, Goldenberg, Hopkins & Bilbrey --- Granite City, Illinois Assisted with creation of complex litigation section of the firm. Authored novel and complex legal memorandum. Monitored lead-based paint claims and cases in all other states. Responsible for working up all lead-based paint files.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

North Carolina Bar, admitted 2012 Missouri Bar, admitted 1994 Illinois Bar, admitted 1995

FORMAL EDUCATION

Washington University - St. Louis, Missouri Degree: Juris Doctorate, May 1994 Honors:

Am Jur Award - Torts (Earned Highest Grade in the Class) Order of the Barristers (Chosen by Law School Dean and Professors) Chairperson - Wiley Rutledge Moot Court

Loyola University - New Orleans, Louisiana Degree: Bachelor of Arts, May 1991 (Graduated in only 3 years) Honors:

Dean's List National Merit Scholarship

COMPUTER RESEARCH

Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, Fastlaw

Scott F. Murray 7208 Falls of Neuse Road ♦ Raleigh, NC 27624 ♦ (919) 747-6708 ♦ [email protected]

LICENSED North Carolina State Bar (2010)

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, NC

Juris Doctor (May 2010)

Holderness Moot Court Bench – International Law Appellate Advocacy Team

Over 50 hours of pro bono service

University of North Carolina School of Education, Chapel Hill, NC

Master of Arts in Teaching (June 2005)

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Bachelor of Arts in English (May 2004)

UNC Honors Program

EXPERIENCE

North Carolina School Boards Association – Legal/Policy Section, Raleigh, NC

Staff Attorney (February 2011 – present)

Review, update, and draft policies for local school boards. Present legal/policy training for board

members and other educational groups. Assist boards with recruiting, interviewing, vetting, and

selecting new superintendents. Conduct legal research and respond to inquiries from member

school systems.

North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Education Section, Raleigh, NC

Extern (August – December 2009)

Researched legal issues for staff. Drafted memoranda, client letters, complaints, and document

requests. Attended hearings at OAH and in federal district court.

North Carolina State Board of Education, Raleigh, NC

Summer Intern (July – August 2009)

Assisted staff attorney with research, administrative rules, procedures, and hearings. Drafted

agency opinions, teacher ethics and licensure report, and various legal memoranda.

Professor Lisa Lukasik, UNC School of Law, Chapel Hill, NC

Research Assistant (May – June 2009)

Conducted extensive legal research on charter school funding issue for law review article.

Tharrington Smith, LLP, Raleigh, NC

Summer Associate, Education Law Section (July – August 2008)

Researched cases, statutes, and legislative history. Drafted motions, complaints, settlement

agreements, and various memoranda. Attended school board meetings. Participated in client

counseling, mediations, and depositions.

The Honorable Paul Newby, North Carolina Supreme Court, Raleigh, NC

Judicial Extern (June – July 2008)

Read petitions for discretionary review, summarized arguments, and drafted recommendations to

other Justices. Drafted legal memoranda that served as the foundation for a judicial opinion.

Walter Hines Page High School, Greensboro, NC

English Teacher (August 2005 – June 2007)

Taught ninth and tenth grade courses at college preparatory and honors level.

mailto:[email protected]

APPENDIX D

ORGANIZATION TYPE AND MANNER COST

American Association of School Administrators Website 30 days - $560 60 days - $790

National School Boards Association Website Free

North Carolina School Boards Association Website, Newsletter, Facebook, Twitter,

& LinkedIn Free

Other State School Boards Associations Website Free

North Carolina Association of School Administrators Website Free

South Carolina Association of School Administrators Website Free

Virginia Association of School Superintendents Listserv Free

National Council of School Attorneys Website Free

Council of Urban Boards of Education Newsletter and Listserv Free

The Broad Center Listserv Free

National Affiliation of Superintendent Searchers Listserv Free

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Listserv Free

North Carolina LEA Personnel Directors Listserv Free

North Carolina Aspiring Superintendent Fellows Program

Listserv Free

SuperProMatch Database Direct email based on computerized

profile matching system Free

K12 JobSpot Website Free

STANDARD ADVERTISING OPTIONS

ADVERTISING OPTIONS

ORGANIZATION TYPE AND MANNER COST

Education Week – “Top School Jobs” Website 30 days - $395

American Association of School Personnel Administrators

Website and Social Media 30 days - $200

Chronicle of Higher Education Website 30 days - $310

National Alliance of Black School Educators Website 30 days - $250

Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents

Website 6 weeks - $150

North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Website and/or NCACC Monthly

Newspaper

90 days (web only) - $75 90 days (web) and 60 days

(newspaper) - $150

North Carolina League of Municipalities Website and/or Weekly Publication Weekly - $2 per 7-word line (print);

$2.50 per 7-word line (online)

Career Builder Website 30 days - $419

School Spring Website 60 days - $250

ADDITIONAL ADVERTISING

OPTIONS

APPENDIX E

COST PROPOSAL

NCSBA offers the superintendent search service for a professional consulting fee of $16,750 plus certain additional expenses. The flat-rate consulting fee includes, but is not limited to, the following services:

providing consultations and customizing the search process for the board;

drafting a vacancy announcement informing potential applicants of the particular qualifications sought for the position, as well as the highlights of the school system and the community;

drafting a customized application form;

advertising the position via multiple websites, listservs, and other recruiting tools;

conducting board member surveys to create a district profile;

conducting staff and community surveys on the board’s behalf;

facilitating any community forums;

compiling and providing to each board member all applications and supplemental documents, including various screening tools;

handling all contact and correspondence with applicants;

arranging interviews and assisting with drafting interview questions;

checking references;

arranging for background checks;

ensuring compliance with federal and state laws pertaining to the search process; and

protecting the confidentiality of the process.

Any expenses on top of the consulting fee are at cost. We find that additional expenses typically fall between a range of $5,000-$10,000, depending on a number of factors. We will request permission from the board before incurring expenses on its behalf and will submit receipts for these expenses. Estimated Expenses 1. Travel for NCSBA Staff $1,500 2. Advertising $1,600 3. Interview Meeting Room and Meals $1,500 4. Finalist Background Checks $1,300 5. Travel for Candidates $2,400 6. Large-scale Copying $1,200

Total Estimated Expenses $9,500 Professional Consulting Fee $16,750 Estimated Total Cost $26,250

APPENDIX F

3600 Trent Road, New Bern, NC 28562 Phone (252) 514-6300 Fax (252) 514- 6327 www.craven.k12.nc.us

Craven County Board Of Education

Carroll G. Ipock, II Chairman

Linda M. Thomas Dr. Lane B. Mills Vice Chairman Superintendent Frances H. Boomer Rebecca M. Kafer Beatrice R. Smith Kimberly R. Smith Joseph L. Walton November 27, 2012 North Carolina School Board Association Allison Schafer P.O. Box 97877 Raleigh, NC 27624-7877 Ms. Schafer: The North Carolina School Boards Association provided key support to the Craven County Board of Education this past year for our superintendent search process. In considering NCSBA, we were aware of approximately 100 successful searches that had been supported prior to our request. I also had personal knowledge of certain aspects of the process employed, having been called as a reference for candidates for other systems. Realizing that we would likely be receiving both internal and external applications, we needed to ensure impartial treatment and fair evaluation of each applicant that minimized system politics. In the first meeting with our board, an outline of the process was given by you, and all questions that we asked were thoroughly answered. A system and community-wide survey was conducted on our behalf by NCSBA for additional input. The board then used the survey information provided to define our wants, preferences, and non-negotiables. This became the basis of the search posting. It was made very clear that the NCSBA would manage the process and provide appropriate documentation as directed by the board, but that all decisions regarding applicants would be the work of the board, and that NCSBA would not make recommendations of candidates to consider, interview, and in the end, select. What stands clearly in my mind is that NCSBA ensured utmost confidentiality, managed the process framework, handled all the related paperwork, and ensured that the board had the information that it needed to fairly review each application and select finalists. NCSBA also managed all aspects of the interview schedule. Most importantly, all support was provided with great impartiality (especially politically), and with utmost respect for the board’s role and judgment. As we moved from the first round of interviews to the second, background and reference check information was of critical importance in making our final selection. We began with 31 quality applicants, chose 12 candidates for initial interviews, and three outstanding finalists for second interviews. Finally, in our selection of Dr. Lane Mills as superintendent for our system, we have confidence that we did get it right, that the fit is hand in glove, and that Dr. Mills is the perfect choice for our system. Our board is very process oriented, and relies heavily on a continuous improvement business model. In our final review of the support provided by NCSBA in this search process, we unanimously commend NCSBA for the quality of service provided. We feel that our work together, the business model followed, and the system-wide satisfaction with the outcome, were all foundational in our being nominated, and then selected as recipient for the first “Leadership Award for School Board” at the NCSBA Annual Conference earlier this month. Our board and Dr. Mills realize that together there is still much work to be accomplished. Respectfully Submitted,

Carroll G. “Carr” Ipock, II Chairman

TEL: 252-796-1121 An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer FAX: 252-796-1492

Tyrrell County Public Schools P. O. Box 328 - Columbia, N.C. 27925

September 22, 2015

To Whom It May Concern,

I highly recommend the services of the NCSBA to any school system.

Our system recently used the services of the NCSBA to hire our superintendent. We found their services to be exemplary. Ms. Schafer and Mrs. Giovanni were professional and extremely knowledgeable throughout the process. NCSBA listened to our needs and concerns and then conducted a thorough search for us based on the needs of our system. Ms. Schafer and Mrs. Giovanni answered all of our many calls and emails promptly. They assisted us with every step in the selection and interview process. They provided us with diverse candidate pool. We felt confident in the people we interviewed due to the diligent background and internet searches conducted on our behalf by NCSBA. This allowed us to make a great selection of our superintendent.

We are extremely pleased with our superintendent selection. We feel this great fit would not have been possible without the professionalism and thoroughness of the NCSBA. Our system has great confidence in the abilities of the NCSBA and will not hesitate to use them in the future. I nor, my fellow Board of Education Member, would have any reservation in recommending the services of the North Carolina Scholl Boards Association. Sincerely,

Lee Scripture, Chairman Tyrrell County Board of Education

[email protected]

252-797-4800

Superintendent Dr. William Hoffman

Board of Education Lee Scripture, Chairman

Janie Spencer, Vice-Chairman Carlos Armstrong

Karen Clough Robin Dunbar


November 20, 2012

To whom it may concern,

I, on behalf of the Cumberland County Board of Education, wish to express complete

satisfaction with the services provided by the North Carolina School Boards Association

(NCSBA) during our Superintendent search.

Our experience with the NCSBA during the selection process was nothing but professional.

Everything that was promised was delivered on time and impartial. NCSBA provided

thorough and informative background and reference information on all applicants. Our

board was particularly impressed with the quality, experience and scope of applicants and

how well they matched our criteria for a superintendent.

Our board would highly recommend NCSBA for your superintendent search service. Our

Superintendent, Dr. Frank Till, is evidence that NCSBA assistance provided an invaluable

service to Cumberland County Schools in our selection process.

Please contact me if you need additional information.

Larry Lancaster, Chairman

Cumberland County Board of Education

[email protected]

910.484.2774

Cumberland County Schools P.O. Box 2357

Fayetteville, North Carolina 28302

910-678-2300

DR. FRANK TILL SUPERINTENDENT

LARRY L. LANCASTER, CHAIR

ALICIA S. CHISOLM, VICE CHAIR JAMES A. MCLAUCHLIN

MICHAEL C. BOOSE MARY EMILY ROYAL

KIMBERLY P. FISHER CARRIE SUTTON

MACKY HALL GREGORY E. WEST


APPENDIX G

3600 Trent Road, New Bern, NC 28562 Phone 252-514-6300 Fax 252-514-6327 www.craven.k12.nc.us

September 27, 2015

Allison Schafer

Director of Policy/Legal Counsel

North Carolina School Board Association (NCSBA)

7208 Falls of Neuse Road

Raleigh, NC 27615

Dear Mrs. Schafer,

As a current superintendent now in my fourth year in Craven County Schools, I have had direct

experience with NCSBA regarding its superintendent search services. The selection of a

superintendent is one of the most important tasks that a Board will undertake. From screening to the

final decision, there is a balance of process and procedure that when followed provides for a strong

match between a school board and a superintendent. Based on my experience as an educator seeking

a superintendency and as a superintendent, NCSBA has a well-deserved reputation for helping a school

board find the right fit for their district.

During my search, I was able to go through NCSBA’s process and experience their services from the

view of a candidate. As one can imagine, these events can be stressful and require confidentiality and

professionalism given the stakes for those individuals who are selected as well as those candidates that

are not the best fit and NCSBA delivers in this area. The NCSBA staff work closely with candidates as

the process unfolds and go out of their way to ensure a positive working relationship. Based on their

style and approach to working with candidates, I felt that NCSBA always had their focus on helping

match superintendents and school boards for a long term partnership.

Sincerely,

Lane B. Mills, Ph.D.

September 24, 2015

To whom it may concern, It is a pleasure and honor to write this letter in support of the superintendent search services of

the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA). Boards of Education have tremendous responsibilities in their school districts and communities. Setting policy and hiring a qualified superintendent are the most significant responsibilities. A thorough search process is essential for the school district, and finding the right fit in a superintendent will affect the district for many years.

I am writing to you from the perspective of a superintendent who was a candidate in the search

process facilitated by the NCSBA. In 2011, I was a finalist in two school districts at the same time, and both were using the search services from the NCSBA. While the search process can be intense for a board, it is also stressful for the candidate. Throughout the search, the staff of NCSBA kept me well informed of the process timeline and next steps. The thorough application format and questions caused me to think deeply about my leadership, and gave the board an insight into my leadership and communication style even before the interviews. I was also appreciative of the confidentiality and professionalism of the NCSBA staff. They are in touch with school districts across our state and other state associations, and are aware of the track records, successes, and challenges of superintendent candidates, and the unique communities in which they have served. This insight can provide a board with a unique perspective as they make their decision to hire the best candidate. NCSBA also conducts community and staff surveys that will yield the desired characteristics for the next superintendent, and allow stakeholders to provide input into the process.

I was selected to serve as the superintendent of Davie County Schools in 2011 and have found

the district to be a fantastic fit for me and my family. The Davie County Board of Education would concur with this letter, as they were also pleased with the search services of NCSBA.

It is with much enthusiasm that I recommend the NCSBA as you consider assistance in the

search process. Best wishes in finding the best superintendent to lead your schools. I wish you much continued success, as together we serve children in the public schools of North Carolina!

Sincerely,

Darrin L. Hartness, Ed.D. Superintendent

APPENDIX H

CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG BOARD OF EDUCATION

General Counsel 600 E. Fourth Street

Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center - 5th Floor Charlotte, NC 28202

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION RFI #163-1428

SERVICES FOR A SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education RFI 163-1428 03/03/16

OVERVIEW AND GENERAL INFORMATION A. Introduction

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (CMBE) is seeking information from companies to provide Services for a Superintendent Search. The Board of Education will seek to engage professional expertise to lead and manage the search for a Superintendent at the Board of Education’s direction. B. Objectives Of This RFI It is not the intention of this RFI to put this service out for bid. The objective of this RFI will lead to the selection of a search firm to professionally assist and facilitate the search process for a new Superintendent, at the Board of Education’s directions and needs. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education is requesting qualified persons or firms interested in conducting a search for the position of Superintendent for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system (CMS), to express their interest in conducting a search by responding to this RFI. C. Proposed Schedule The anticipated schedule for this RFI process (subject to change based on the preferences and needs of CMBE) is as follows: Timeline to Engage a Search Firm

Week of Feb 29 – Chair appoints a 3 person committee (The Committee) to identify search firms that will receive an RFI for the Superintendent search.

March 3 – Board agrees to one day and a backup day during the Week of April 4 to meet firms and make a selection.

March 3 – Board approves RFI, engagement process, and engagement timeline described

on these 2 pages.

March 4 – RFI emailed to search firms. Media partners help publicize the engagement timeline. RFI is available in the Board Office for other search firms that request it.

Responses to RFI due in electronic format to the Board Office by close of business

Wednesday March 16.


March 17-21 – The Committee selects no more than 4 finalist firms (2-3 would be better) to bring in for interviews/meetings with the Board on the selected date during the week of April 4.

March 22 – Finalist firms invited to meet the board on the selected date. Finalist firms

will be notified on March 22 and will be invited to interview with the Board during the week of April 4 in Charlotte.

Week of April 4 – Meet finalist firms. Agree to mid-late April dates to meet with

selected firm in public workshop format.

Week of April 4 – General Counsel’s office secures contract with selected firm.

April 12 – Announce selection of Search firm partner as an information item at the April 12 Board Meeting.

D. RFI Questions:

1. Please list and briefly describe the following: a. Your firm’s experience and expertise in conducting Superintendent searches for

public school districts with more than 45,000 students (Largest 100 districts in the US) in the past 3 years.

b. Your firm’s involvement in any current superintendent search.

2. Please list and briefly describe other relevant searches your firm has conducted for positions similar to a large public school Superintendent in the past 3 years.

3. Which individual consultants will lead and participate in the search? Are they the same individual consultants who conducted the searches described above? If not, why?

4. Briefly describe your process for conducting this search successfully, including an aggressive but realistic timeline from engagement to placement, assuming that engagement will begin in mid-April 2016.

5. Which assessments (5 factor personality assessment, MBTI, etc) do you include as part of your process? Why?

6. What information about the candidates will you share with us? In what format, written or verbal? At what point in the process?

7. How do you manage candidate confidentiality on a search such as this one?


8. Conflicts of Interest/Off-Limits Policy a. What are your off-limits policies? Be specific in describing how your policies

affect your ability to ethically source qualified candidates for this search. b. Has your firm ever had any type of financial relationship with any candidate that

was included in any search with which your firm was involved? If so, when and how was the relationship disclosed to your client?

9. Please describe and itemize the anticipated costs of this search: a. What are your fees and fee structure? b. What is the estimated range of expenses? Will you agree to cap certain expenses?

10. Are there any current legal claims, whether officially filed or not, pending against your

firm? Have there been any legal claims, whether officially filed or not, made against your firm in the past 5 years?

11. Make your case - What key attributes or differentiators make your firm the most qualified to conduct this search?

E. Cost For Proposal Preparation: Any cost incurred by offerors in preparing or submitting information is the offerors’ sole responsibility; The Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education will not reimburse any offeror for RFI preparation, travel, or lodging expenses incurred. Any cost incurred to demonstrate and or hold vendor meetings at the CMBE location is the sole responsibility of the offeror.

F. Reference To Other Data: Only information, received in response to this RFI, will be evaluated.

G. Disclosure: Please be aware that responses may be subject to disclosure under the North Carolina Public Records Act. If your firm is selected as the Board’s search partner, financial terms of the agreement will be public information. For clarification, please contact the General Counsel’s office at 980-343-6228. H. CMS Facts

Facts about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools:

164 schools $1.3 billion annual budget 145,363 students 9,180 teachers