The search continues for a new superintendent to lead the Columbus Municipal School District following the resignation of former superintendent Dr. Del Phillips last month.
The board held a special meeting at the central office Wednesday night, voting 4-1 to create a profile of their ideal candidate, then use an outside “headhunter” firm to help locate and recruit potential applicants who match their specifications.
The motion, made by board member Bruce Hanson, was opposed by secretary Tommy Prude. Prude, maintaining his stance from the previous meeting, said he believes if the board creates the right profile and advertises both nationally and regionally, they will find the right person without the outside help which — in the past — they”ve often solicited, paid for, and received, but then ignored.
“It”s a very simple thing,” he said.
Other board members were adamant though that the bar has been set higher by Phillips” performance, and they don”t feel they have the time or the national reach to find a candidate who will take the district to the next level.
“I hesitate to be argumentative, but I believe in my heart that the standard we”ve established is a higher standard than it”s ever been before,” Hanson said. “Across the state, Columbus became the standard for every other superintendent search. I believe we should use a national search firm.”
“We are at a different level than we were before,” agreed board member Alma Turner.
Board president Glenn Lautzenhiser said he was comfortable going in either direction — handling the entire search internally or using a national search firm to help with the screening process — but he leans more heavily towards to idea of a national firm because they are likely to have industry contacts and connections CMSD doesn”t have, allowing them to disseminate their message in a broader range of outlets and recruit people the board may not even know exist.
Hanson and Lautzenhiser will lead the search for potential consultant firms, bringing a recommendation back to the board either by Monday night”s regular meeting or in a special meeting tentatively set for Tuesday night at the central office.
Phillips” last day will be June 11. On June 13, he begins his new position as director of schools for the Sumner County School District in Gallatin, Tenn.
In other business, CMSD unanimously agreed to allow Evangel Church to use four city school buses on Saturday for the purpose of transporting 150 to 200 church members with supplies to Smithville and Tuscaloosa to assist in tornado relief efforts.
The church will pay the drivers as well as sign an indemnity agreement and carry $1 million in liability insurance.
Youth pastor Pat Davidson spoke to the board, telling them the buses were needed in order to avoid bringing too many vehicles into the traffic-heavy, storm-damaged areas. They also will bring grills to cook food for relief workers, rakes, chain saws, and heavy equipment to help with cleanup, and hygiene kits to distribute to needy families.
They will work under the direction of the American Red Cross and Convoy of Hope.
If the mission goes well, Davidson said he anticipates continuing to provide assistance over the next few months.
The board also met in executive session to discuss a personnel matter but took no action.
The regular school board meeting will be held Monday at 5 p.m. at the Columbus Municipal Complex.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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