MSD begins search process to find a new superintendent

The Marysville School District is beginning the process to search for a new superintendent which they hope to finish around February of next year.

Marysville School Board members heard a report from the recruiting team they hired for the process on Nov. 10.

“We’re getting out early. This is a desirable school district in a desirable region. So we are optimistic,” said Kris McDuffy with GR Recruiting. McDuffy is the lead associate on the project and is a former superintendent of the Arlington School District.

The proposed timeline includes presenting top candidates to the public in late January and hosting interviews then.

The changing of the Marysville School Board will also complicate the process, as four of the current five board members will be replaced in January.

Only board member Paul Galovin will remain.

“We are aware there is a lot of transition going on with the board,” said McDuffy.

The recruiting group is reaching out to various groups now.

“Everybody’s voice has an opportunity to be heard,” said McDuffy.

They have begun outreach efforts such as preparing surveys and started one-on-one interviews with board members and others.

Plans are in place to begin reaching out to students as well.

“We want to hear from students. We think that’s really important to get that kind of information,” said senior associate at GR Recruiting Jim Hager.

McDuffy said the public will be involved in many parts of the process.

“There will be multiple opportunities for your voice to be heard,” she said.

The recruiting firm and Marysville School District staff are coordinating on how to get the message out to the community as well.

“We’re just getting started on that communications plan,” said McDuffy.

The recruitment plan includes posting advertisements for the positions in local and national superintendent associations.

“We want to reach out nationally. We want to cast that net wide,” said Sandi Gero, associate at GR Recruiting.

The Washington state area can draw candidates from all over the country, said Hager.

“I was the lead in Everett [School District]’s search and we convinced a guy from Florida of all places,” he said.

Hager recommended offering the new superintendent a salary between $238,000 to $250,000 per year, because the cost of living, especially in regards to housing, can be prohibitive.

“We know the draw out here is very strong, but you still have to be competitive with what you can offer,” he said.

The first round of recruiting is more private with regards to the specific candidates, said McDuffy.

“As we are recruiting, we’re ensuring that the process will be confidential through the first round,” she said.

“There are risks that people take [applying for these positions], if they are current superintendents for instance,” she added.

After that initial stage though the specifics of the remaining candidates will be open to the public.

“Typically there is a forum in the evening or late afternoon where everyone can be part of it, and submit questions ahead of time,” said McDuffy.