The lengthy process of choosing a new school superintendent somewhat unofficially began last Wednesday afternoon when the Clinton County Board of Education held about a one-hour “work session” type meeting with a Kentucky School Boards Association representative, who filled the board in on the entire process of how a superintendent is chosen, as well as recommendations on how to proceed and conduct the search.

Grover “Butch” Canty, former Superintendent of Schools in Ohio County, who now works for the KSBA in assisting school boards in the search process, addressed the board–all of whom were present–and fielded questions they had about the entire process.

The board, at its regular meeting earlier in January, had opted to contract with the KSBA for their assistance in the superintendent search process.

Canty told board members that on average, about 20 superintendent searches (out of 179 school districts) are done each year, but added there seemed to be more superintendents retiring or leaving their posts this year.

Superintendent Mickey McFall, who has served the longest of any superintendent in the past 30 years, announced in December he would be retiring effective June 30 of this year. He will have served more than 10 years in the position and over 27 years total with the school system.

Canty asked the board members some questions as well about the process and basically had them to fill in the blanks on some issues, such as a time line for advertising, dates the screening committee–once in place–would be required to meet and when board members themselves could conduct interviews with applicants.

It is thought that at least nine or more people will apply for the position being vacated by McFall. Although the six-member screening committee who will be in charge of reviewing applications and making recommendations for finalists, the board itself will ultimately hire a replacement.

The KSBA representative advised the board they needed to give at least a couple of months time for the advertising process, since the actual advertisement and posting will be placed in several areas and in several outlets, not only locally and in Kentucky, but out-of-state as well.

The board decided to begin advertising the first week of February with a cut-off date being the end of March. They also decided to hold the first meeting with the screening committee on April 9, the first Monday after spring break. Canty advised the board that during the first meeting with that committee, they (board) should be straight forward and let the committee know exactly what the board expects in a superintendent.

The screening committee will be made up of two teachers, one parent, one classified staff and one principal. Canty noted that usually the teacher, staff and principal representatives on the committee are selected, usually by an election of their peers, to serve and the parent member is chosen by the local PTO, or PTA (Parent/Teacher) chairman.

Since there is no apparent active parent/teacher association in the local school district, the process in selecting a parent member may involve taking nominations from other parents and holding a ‘parent election,’ setting a specific day and location for parents to vote.

Canty recommended that after applications are received and given to the screening committee for review, the next meeting shouldn’t be for at least a week in the process, since it will take time to check references and backgrounds of the applicants.

Sometime in April, the board will have a joint meeting with the screening committee and the dates for the actual interview process was tentatively scheduled for April 24 through May 7. It is hoped a person is hired to fill the position by the end of May, giving the incoming superintendent some transition time to work with Supt. McFall. However, the official position job duty would not take effect until July 1.

Canty also advised the board to not release the name of the person hired until after a contract had been agreed upon and also noted that confidentiality of applicants was very important in the selection process.

The board will also be supplied with sample contracts, salary schedules, and was given a copy of the sample advertisement that will be running for the next two months.

Canty also recommended that each board member, during the interview process, ask about three questions each–all with different specific questions–when interviewing the person applying and further recommended they begin developing those questions early.

Carol Parrigin, who works in the Central Office, was chosen as point person between the screening committee and board members.

During the work session, Canty told board members, “As a school board, the most important thing you do is hire the superintendent.” The superintendent works more with the board than anyone, he added.

The next regular meeting of the Clinton County Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, February 13 at 5 p.m. at the Central Office board room and is open to the general public.