U-46 looks for a firm to find a new leader

Community involvement is key to finding the right superintendent to run Elgin Area School District U-46, search firm representatives told the school board Wednesday.

The school board interviewed four potential firms to direct the search for outgoing Superintendent Connie Neale's replacement.

The candidates, the only four to respond to the district's request for proposal, are Nebraska-based McPherson and Jacobson, Milwaukee-based Proact Search, the Illinois Association of School Boards, and Highland Park-based School Exec Connect.

The firms charge between $15,000 and $30,000. The school board association submitted the lowest bid, explaining that member dues from school boards across the state supplement the search charge.

The search firm representatives all emphasized that they would conduct a national search involving active recruitment of candidates.

"We used to just sort through applications," said Tom Jacobson of Jacobson and McPherson. "Now we recruit talent."

Representatives from the firms also emphasized that time is of the essence if U-46 wants to be competitive in the superintendent market.

"You're a little bit behind some others," school board association consultant Donna Johnson told the board. "The longer the wait, you miss out on quality applicants."

Neale went on indefinite medical leave in September and then announced her intent to retire in October.

School board members acknowledged the very public controversy surrounding Neale's pay package and retirement benefits. School board President Ken Kaczynski asked all the firms how they would help the board structure a fair contract that the community could accept.

Nancy Noeske of Proact Search said her firm acts as the go-between on salary issues, and can tell candidates what is reasonable and what is not.

"We know how to say 'no,'" Noeske said. "Some of the things they ask for, you wouldn't believe.

"Or maybe you would."

The candidates said it was crucial to provide all segments of the community with multiple opportunities to provide input.

The firms suggested multiple ways to involve the entire community in the process, including online surveys, candidate forums and focus groups.

"When stakeholders are involved, then they support the hire," Jacobson said.

The board planned to deliberate on the candidates late Wednesday night and vote on a finalist at the Nov. 13 board meeting.