While the school board had high hopes of hiring a new superintendent by Sept. 1, the starting date of the top official has been pushed back to mid-October at best.
While trustees seemed anxious to shave a week or two off the 16-week process Tuesday, representatives from the selected search firm, The Cosca Group, advised against it and the board eventually agreed.
The board met with case managers Frank Cosca, founder and president of the group, and Steve Goldstone, to set a firm outline of the coming weeks and to begin identifying the board's ideals for a superintendent.
For example, the six week application time gives Cosca's associates ample times to pound the pavement in search of a superintendent.
"The people you will want to deal with will be heavily involved with their starting school. Very good superintendents don't think about leaving (so) they're not organized, not ready to apply. You don't want somebody that's out looking and ready to get out," Cosca told the board.
Superintendent Alan Nishino announced his retirement in late May. While his contract ends Tuesday, Nishino will stay on as interim superintendent through Aug. 30.
The district is looking into how long Nishino could stay on, considering that he'll already begin receiving retirement benefits from Morgan Hill Unified while also collecting an undetermined rate for his service as interim superintendent, Moody said. Moody said it's unclear if Nishino could stay on a third month given these retirement rules. Both of these issues will be discussed during Monday's special Board of Education meeting, at 6 p.m. at the district office, 15600 Concord Circle.
On June 16, the school board selected The Cosca Group as the search firm who will assist the district as it seeks to fill exiting superintendent Alan Nishino's top district spot.
The week of July 13, Cosca and Goldstone will meet with community members, such as parents, teachers, classified employees and city representatives, to discuss what they each think a superintendent should bring to Morgan Hill.
The week of July 27, the board is scheduled to approve the brochure advertising the position and what the district is looking for, and about Aug. 3, the firm will disseminate recruitment material across the state.
The deadline for applications is Sept. 11.
The board and a panel of experts will screen the candidates and conduct detailed reference checks in mid-September.
The week of Oct. 3, the board will interview selected candidates, and the week of Oct. 5 trustees will visit the final candidate's home district. The firm expects negotiations to take about a week.
Natalie Everett
Natalie Everett Natalie Everett is the education and city reporter for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.
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