INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — On the docket for a Board discussion about the search for a new Superintendent of schools was the use of a consultant, salary, and timeline for advertising the position.
But before discussion turned to the three points outlined by Chairman Carol Johnson, Vice Chairman Matthew McCain suggested the Board seek a bid from previously hired consultant, Dr. Wayne Blanton, before moving forward on any other details.
“I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves,” McCain said. “I think we’re probably better off deciding as a group how we want to go, do we want to use Dr. Blanton or a national search firm.”
Dr. Blanton, Executive Director of the Florida School Boards Association, guided the County’s school board in 2010-2011 when it hired current superintendent Dr. Fran Adams.
A national firm weighed in on the Board’s superintendent search process in 2007-2008 when Dr. David Picilo was offered the position and declined before the job was given to Dr. Harry La Cava who served until 2011.
According to Johnson, Dr. Adams was hired at a base salary $20,000 lower than her predecessor. Johnson said Adams also took a more meager benefit package and turned down bonuses saving the district a significant amount of money.
Four members of the school board, excluding Karen Disney-Brombach who was not present during Tuesday’s discussion session, agreed to seek a bid from Dr. Blanton before continuing a more detailed discussion.
“I can’t imagine anybody who’s got a better sense of what’s going on in this state in education,” McCain said of Dr. Blanton. “I think having a professional like Dr. Blanton, to use his knowledge, use his experience, and use his finger on the pulse of what’s going on now…I think that’s what we need to do.”
Johnson was tasked with contacting Dr. Blanton for a bid before returning to the school board for an official vote on using his services.
Johnson said time was of the essence as the sweet spot for advertising for the superintendent opening is between late October and early November. The Board set a goal to reconvene prior to the next official Board meeting on Oct. 7 to discuss Blanton’s bid.
According to Johnson, $15,000 has been budgeted for the Board’s superintendent search.