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District 100 superintendent search update
By Michele Gruba
Reporter
BELVIDERE – On Friday, July 30, a special meeting of the District 100 board of education was held to discuss consulting firm proposals.
Choosing a consulting firm is the first step in hiring a superintendent to replace Dr. Houselog, who is retiring from District 100 on Aug. 14.
The first item on the meeting agenda was public comment during that time BEA President Kendra Asbury Board was the only speaker. Asbury spoke on behalf of the BEA and its members, expressing the importance of all stakeholders being included in the process of searching for a new superintendent.
She also presumed an interim superintendent would be appointed during the meeting and asked the boardlook to the district’s history to chart a positive course for the district’s future.
The board went into closed session which was immediately followed by a discussion on the four consulting firms who submitted proposals.
Those companies include HYA Executive search from Rosemont, Ill., which is the firm that brought us Dr. Houselog, b.w.p &Associates Libertyville, Ill., School Exec Connect Edina, Minn. and IASB Springfield, Ill.
Karla Maville, Kelly Diamond, Heather Sell-Wick, Holly Houk and Stacy McGowan were most impressed by HYA’s proposal.
However, board member Allison Reid-Niemiec raised several valid concerns regarding HYA, pointing out that the district has previously used their firm, and many of the candidates hired, and as a result, did not stay employed within the district for more than a few years.
She also indicated that upon researching HYA conflicts of interest, she discovered claims that many of the candidates they offer are HYA employees or consultants.
Board President Tolbert and Reid-Niemiec both placed b.w.p, & Associates, and School Exec Connect as their top choices. IASB was eliminated after it was unanimously agreed that their association offered bare minimum services and could not meet the needs of the district or the community.
After much consideration, it was determined that School Exec Connect, b.w.p &Associates and HYA Executive Search would be invited to present their proposals during the next regularly scheduled school board meeting.
There was no discussion about appointing an interim superintendant.
Considering Dr.Houselogs last will be Friday, Aug. 14, hopefully the community will get answers at the next school board meeting on Monday, Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. at 1201 5th Ave. in the lower level.
