Compares two superintendent searches for the River Dell School District in New Jersey: One conducted primarily by a professional recruiting firm; the other by the board, a search firm, and a community search committee. Concludes that adding a community search committee is inefficient and divisive. (PKP)

Despite the variation in fees, the actual services most superintendent search consultants provide are remarkably similar. Price differences reflect the size of a consultant's network and track record. Recommends matching fee ranges with an appropriate category of consultant and basing selection on a 10-step process of consultant services. (CJH)

The difference between the performance of an outstanding teacher and that of an average teacher over a couple of decades can be immensely significant to a school district. Outlines a 10-step labor-intensive hiring procedure for hiring top teachers. (MLF)

Search committees should evaluate each candidate for the superintendency on the basis of 10 risk factors: (1) spouse with a career; (2) children in high school; (3) home ownership; (4) unfamiliarity with the community; (5) salary equal to or less than current compensation; (6) high-cost area; (7) candidate or spouse in school; (8) unattractive job…

Responses from over 500 practicing superintendents in New York State reveal that the majority (1) have a strong desire to be leaders; (2) heard about the opening through an advertisement; (3) view consultants in the selection process appropriate only as technical experts; and (4) urge school board members to become more involved in the…

Details the process that helped Oklahoma City school board members decide what they wanted in a superintendent and how they went about finding that person. (MLF)

Advises boards of education to recruit superintendents themselves instead of delegating the search to consultants. Benefits are (1) taxpayer savings; (2) the chance for board member teamwork without involving the superintendent; and (3) the opportunity to foster diverse approaches to educational improvement instead of furthering homogeneity in the…

Reviews the pros and cons of hiring an external consultant to conduct a superintendent search. School board members are advised to exercise caution in choosing a consultant and to vigilantly oversee the consultant's work. (LMI)

A search consultant describes the process of selecting Peter Hutchinson of Public Strategies, Inc., to head Minneapolis (Minnesota) schools. The board negotiated a contract of performance-based compensation for services provided by Hutchinson's firm, with Hutchinson as superintendent. (MLF)

Data were collected from reports prepared by consultants for 12 school boards that were involved in active superintendent searches. The reports reflected the comments of 88 school board members in the 12 districts. These are compared with the national recommended standards for preparing school leaders. The standard on community collaboration was…

Describes how the Victor Valley Union High School District (California) established an assessment center to help select a superintendent. School superintendents can be selected through the use of role-playing exercises that test their ability to handle the difficult responsibilities of the superintendency. (MLF)

The Shorewood (Wisconsin) public schools chose a new superintendent by establishing a search committee, hiring a consultant, surveying the community to identify desired qualities, developing an "ideal superintendent" profile for screening applications, arranging a 24-hour visit and interview process, and making their selection. (RW)