"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
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Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 7:10:46, Jun 13th 2013 - chipperlee - Seems to be a well written article, except maybe Silica Sand is used in ... [Read More]
- 12:02:15, Jun 9th 2013 - getthefacts - The problem here lies in the fact that girls were repeatedly told "if y ... [Read More]
- 10:45:32, Jun 7th 2013 - Jo mom for 6yrs - Mr. Ehler hit the nail on the head. I agree with the religious con ... [Read More]
- 2:47:58, Jun 7th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 9:06:21, Jun 6th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 2:05:29, Jun 6th 2013 - Kim Wentworth - The number one rule in a debate: 1) if the person from the opposite si ... [Read More]
- 12:42:18, Jun 4th 2013 - EW - For someone that is always spouting religious rhetoric, you try to come off as a ... [Read More]
- 11:32:18, May 31st 2013 - JO PLAYER - This is unfair to us girls. Morrie Miller is not getting canceled but J ... [Read More]
- 8:25:34, May 29th 2013 - RP - Why is Mr. Ehler involving himself with non-school activities? Is he going after ... [Read More]
- 6:40:49, May 29th 2013 - Doc - You are a cartoon character! If I see you in person I will burst out laughing. ... [Read More]
33
Do you think the use of all fireworks should be legal in the state of Minnesota for all consumers?
Rushford-Peterson School Board: Board will conduct superintendent search
Fri, Apr 13th, 2007
Posted in Education
Posted in Education
Comments
At a special meeting on April 9, the R-P school board decided to go it alone hiring a new superintendent, rather than hiring an agency. A number of agencies that specialize in superintendent searches have contacted board members since it was announced several weeks ago that they were not renewing the contract of Superintendent Jeff Miller.
The board finds itself in the position of currently having only one administrator, high school principal Brad Johnson, in the entire system. The situation is the result of unforeseen events, like medical leaves and a retirement, but also is largely due to the board's own decision to oust Miller, who also served as the principal of the middle school.
After spending time looking at a sheet of potential administrator arrangements prepared by Roger Metz, Jim Kitchens expressed his opinion that he'd "like to see the superintendent call the shots."
The rest of the board concurred that it might be wise to first hire a superintendent, and then let that person make decisions about how many principals to hire and their specific duties, acknowledging that different superintendents might have varying management styles and different requirements of staff.
Chairman John Nitecki had brought in a copy of the current job description for the superintendent, which he shared with the board. Dan Munson asked "should we add something about 'represents the district to the community, and is involved in the community'?"
Nitecki agreed and recommended the board add this statement to the description: "Represents the district by participating and being involved in our communities' activities."
George Ingram was a bit reluctant to be so specific and favored a more general contract.
Kitchens agreed with Ingram, saying "it almost goes without saying the guy should know this."
Munson pointed out that putting something specific in a job description means it can be used later in performance evaluations, and the board added the phrase.
Then came a discussion on the merits of hiring agencies, and the cost.
"This district has a lot of great things going for it," Nitecki said. "I don't really think we need to hire an outside consultant to do this (hire a superintendent) on our behalf."
Nitecki admitted, however, that an agency would expedite the process. Nobody remembered that the district had ever used an agency in the past.
"What if we don't like any of the people they bring in?" Munson asked.
Ingram pointed out that if an agency was involved, there was a good chance they'd have a superintendent in place by fall.
All seemed concerned about the cost, but Metz expressed his belief, based on his past work hiring professionals in healthcare, that whether you conduct a search yourself or hire an agency, "dollar-wise, you're going to end up pretty close."
Still, Metz recommended that, "we consider trying to do it on our own, pick a deadline, establish a committee..."
Nitecki finished Metz's thought, "...and if we find that we're not getting very far, we could still hire a consultant later."
Kitchens said he'd favor which ever way would bring in the right person, even if "we have to spend some money."
Ingram agreed. "To get the right candidate, I don't care which way we go."
The board agreed to a May 18 deadline for applications, which will be directed to John Nitecki. A committee will be set up consisting of board members, staff members, the lone principal, and community members.
With the superintendent search question resolved, the board turned to the subject of negotiations with staff. Tentatively, Eric Thompson and Metz will represent the board, with the possibility of Greg Smith, who was absent.
In a final bit of business, Metz wanted to know why none of the board members had responded to his email asking whether they could set up a school board donkey basketball team. Excuses for ignoring Metz's email ranged from "I just got a new computer," to "I'm over the weight limit (to ride a donkey)."
"Well, I can't ride, but I could scoop," Metz joked.
The board finds itself in the position of currently having only one administrator, high school principal Brad Johnson, in the entire system. The situation is the result of unforeseen events, like medical leaves and a retirement, but also is largely due to the board's own decision to oust Miller, who also served as the principal of the middle school.
After spending time looking at a sheet of potential administrator arrangements prepared by Roger Metz, Jim Kitchens expressed his opinion that he'd "like to see the superintendent call the shots."
The rest of the board concurred that it might be wise to first hire a superintendent, and then let that person make decisions about how many principals to hire and their specific duties, acknowledging that different superintendents might have varying management styles and different requirements of staff.
Chairman John Nitecki had brought in a copy of the current job description for the superintendent, which he shared with the board. Dan Munson asked "should we add something about 'represents the district to the community, and is involved in the community'?"
Nitecki agreed and recommended the board add this statement to the description: "Represents the district by participating and being involved in our communities' activities."
George Ingram was a bit reluctant to be so specific and favored a more general contract.
Kitchens agreed with Ingram, saying "it almost goes without saying the guy should know this."
Munson pointed out that putting something specific in a job description means it can be used later in performance evaluations, and the board added the phrase.
Then came a discussion on the merits of hiring agencies, and the cost.
"This district has a lot of great things going for it," Nitecki said. "I don't really think we need to hire an outside consultant to do this (hire a superintendent) on our behalf."
Nitecki admitted, however, that an agency would expedite the process. Nobody remembered that the district had ever used an agency in the past.
"What if we don't like any of the people they bring in?" Munson asked.
Ingram pointed out that if an agency was involved, there was a good chance they'd have a superintendent in place by fall.
All seemed concerned about the cost, but Metz expressed his belief, based on his past work hiring professionals in healthcare, that whether you conduct a search yourself or hire an agency, "dollar-wise, you're going to end up pretty close."
Still, Metz recommended that, "we consider trying to do it on our own, pick a deadline, establish a committee..."
Nitecki finished Metz's thought, "...and if we find that we're not getting very far, we could still hire a consultant later."
Kitchens said he'd favor which ever way would bring in the right person, even if "we have to spend some money."
Ingram agreed. "To get the right candidate, I don't care which way we go."
The board agreed to a May 18 deadline for applications, which will be directed to John Nitecki. A committee will be set up consisting of board members, staff members, the lone principal, and community members.
With the superintendent search question resolved, the board turned to the subject of negotiations with staff. Tentatively, Eric Thompson and Metz will represent the board, with the possibility of Greg Smith, who was absent.
In a final bit of business, Metz wanted to know why none of the board members had responded to his email asking whether they could set up a school board donkey basketball team. Excuses for ignoring Metz's email ranged from "I just got a new computer," to "I'm over the weight limit (to ride a donkey)."
"Well, I can't ride, but I could scoop," Metz joked.
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