The search for a new school superintendent will cost the Indian River County School District up to $25,000, based on bids submitted by companies vying to lead the search.
Two of those firms – the Florida School Boards Association and Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates – were scheduled to be interviewed by the School Board on Aug. 6.
Tallahassee-based FSBA, which the board used to find Interim Superintendent Susan Moxley earlier this year, submitted a bid of “up to” $25,000 to lead the district’s search for a new superintendent.
HYA, which describes itself as “a network of independent education consultants across the nation . . . with over 30 years of executive search and education consulting experience,” submitted a bid of $23,500 that the district would be able to pay in three installments.
A third firm, Ray and Associates, Inc., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, submitted a bid of $22,000 but withdrew from consideration after the board requested that it participate in an interview with the School Board.
School board members have not set a deadline for hiring a new superintendent but have indicated the process could take nine months to one year.
Former Superintendent Mark Rendell resigned under pressure on May 24. He has since been hired as principal at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School in Brevard County.
Moxley, who started as interim superintendent in May, has not announced whether she is interested in the permanent superintendent job, but the board inserted a clause in her current contract that would permit her to apply for the position. Normally, contracts for interim superintendents include wording that prevents them from applying for the job, officials for the FSBA said.
During her interview for the interim position, Moxley, a veteran superintendent, indicated she might be interested in the job and several board members, including, Chairwoman Laura Zorc, have publicly lobbied for Moxley to apply for the permanent position, citing her leadership, organizational and communication skills as reasons she should be considered.
“I want us to duplicate Dr. Moxley,” Rosario said. “Those are the qualifications I’m looking for in a superintendent.”
When asked last week if she plans to seek the job, Moxley laughed and avoided answering the question.
“Let’s just say, I’ll be here until I’m no longer here,” she said. “I do believe the district must conduct a search to make sure they find the best person for the job.”
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