Forest Lake Schools board hears three superintendent search firm pitches
The Forest Lake Area Schools board unanimously approved its meeting agenda on Feb. 13 and spent most of the session evaluating three firms that could help recruit the district's next superintendent. The presentations come as the district prepares for a leadership transition.
The board heard detailed pitches from Ray and Associates, School Exec Connect, and the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA), each offering different approaches to finding a new superintendent. No votes were taken on which firm to hire, as the presentations were informational only.
Ray and Associates emphasized their national reach and experience since 1975, promising a customized search tailored to the board's specific needs. Dr. Daniel Bitman, currently superintendent of Edina Public Schools, told the board: "This is your search. So, we will be able to work with you to do it your way." The firm typically requires four board meetings and would charge the district for national candidate travel costs.
School Exec Connect highlighted a 97% success rate for placed superintendents staying at least two years. The firm offers a one-year mentorship program for new superintendents and guarantees free re-search if a candidate leaves within two years, except for actual expenses. Dr. Omera said he would personally conduct 6-8 in-person meetings with the district.
MSBA, which has completed over 250 successful superintendent searches in Minnesota, emphasized transparency and deep knowledge of state law. The organization uses refreshed hiring criteria incorporating artificial intelligence, provides recorded Q&A sessions, and guarantees all board members access to applications. Notably, MSBA doesn't charge until a superintendent is successfully placed and offers free re-search if a candidate doesn't remain through the first year.
Beyond the superintendent search, the board heard presentations from student groups and programs. The Students Against Destructive Decisions (SAD) club reported on community service activities including donating teddy bears to kindergarteners and caroling at senior living facilities. The STEP special education transition program showcased student successes, including one student's work in 3D printing and another's employment at Fairview Lakes Medical Center. The board also received reports on district achievements including a girls Nordic skiing team advancing to state competition and various academic and athletic accomplishments.
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Votes (4)
Approval of Meeting Agenda with Amendment
Dissent: None
Moved by Member Tyson [0:01:21] · Seconded by Member Castle [0:01:22]
A motion was made to approve the agenda. Following this, an amendment was proposed to move the student report from Forest Lake Area High School SAD to immediately follow the agenda approval. Both the amendment and the main motion were discussed and approved.
Superintendent Search Firm Presentation: Ray and Associates
Dissent: None
Moved by null · Seconded by null
Dr. Daniel Bitman and Dr. Willard presented Ray and Associates' services, emphasizing their national reach, comprehensive process since 1975, commitment to diversity, and a 1-year follow-up guarantee. They highlighted their approach to individualized board member interviews, stakeholder meetings, and community surveys. Discussions included the number of required board meetings (typically 4), the firm's experience with superintendents relocating to Minnesota, and clarification on the consensus-building matrix used in candidate selection. The district would be responsible for national candidate travel costs.
Superintendent Search Firm Presentation: School Exec Connect
Dissent: None
Moved by null · Seconded by null
Dr. Omera presented School Exec Connect, emphasizing their 97% success rate for placed superintendents remaining for two years and their 'unmatched' three guarantees, including free re-search if a candidate leaves within two years (except for actual expenses). The firm offers a one-year mentorship/coaching program for new superintendents. Their process involves targeted stakeholder groups, a customized community survey, and forums, with specific inclusion of students. Dr. Omera confirmed he would be the primary point person for the district, conducting 6-8 in-person meetings.
Superintendent Search Firm Presentation: MSBA (Minnesota School Boards Association)
Dissent: None
Moved by null · Seconded by null
Mrs. Barb Dorne of MSBA presented their superintendent search services, emphasizing their extensive experience (250+ successful searches in MN), evolving methodologies, and commitment to transparency. Key differentiators included refreshed hiring criteria (incorporating AI), search preview meetings, recorded Q&A sessions for transparency, and anonymous community surveys for feedback. MSBA guarantees all board members access to application materials and adheres strictly to Minnesota's open meeting laws. They provide a model contract and crucial transition services for the new superintendent and board. Dorne highlighted MSBA's deep knowledge of Minnesota statutes, which inform critical aspects like contract length and residency requirements (which cannot be mandated). MSBA does not charge until a superintendent is successfully placed and offers a free re-search if a candidate does not remain for the first year.
Notable Quotes (10)
We will work with you to identify what type of a candidate you are looking for and so by working with you we're able to then screen candidates, recruit candidates, look for candidates and base the candidates that are best for SL um based on all the things that you want. This is your search. So, we will be able to work with you to do it your way.
Do you find that superintendent when you search nationally want to select Minnesota?
Understanding that you are the superintendent at the Adina Public Schools, which I imagine is a huge job. How how does that work with you also doing this kind of work or could you speak a little bit to that please?
The first guarantee is that in the event of that education we'll continue to bring for actual expenses only you think is a good fit for your district. for any reason or is dismissed for any reason within two years of start date. There's no additional fees.
And then how do you conduct the community workshops? If you could expand on that a little.
Well, it kind of includes whatever the superintendent feels he or she needs. It could be on-site visits. It could be, you know, a phone call once a week, once a month or a Zoom or, you know, Google meet or something like that. Um, I come up there and go setting with the board during the summertime so that it's clear what the board wants the superintendent to achieve, but it's also clear to the board what the superintendent wants to achieve.
So I don't think it's in so much what a firm does, but I believe is how a firm does that.
So you cannot close a meeting for purposes of search. That includes discussing the applications which is private data in an open meeting. So it's a little bit tricky. We'll talk about in terms of C. We'll talk about our recommendations in terms of AB and C. of that motion to interview for example only then those names go public the names of every other physual district to have the contract that you want with your superintendent but we have the model contract which is compromised contract both associations can we provide that to you we'll also offer transition services that we see for a while and the transition is one of the best things about our process first months sober we come workshop.
One thing I didn't mention is that we will not charge the district anything at all until you have a superintendent.
So I need to apologize because that number was just I had to think about my time on the road. I was picturing state of Minnesota and where I drive and didn't want them. So we actually are not plan.
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
Board policy subject to concerns regarding removal of school board members from its scope.
Board policy with language changes that raised concerns about legal fees and board accountability.
MSBA's internal plan, referenced in DEI discussion, and tied to superintendent search by MSBA and School Exec Connect.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
STEP (Special Education Transition Program) Presentation
Listening Session Summary: Policy Concerns
Positive Happenings and Reports
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