C-I hires firm for superintendent search

CROSBY -- The Crosby-Ironton School Board agreed Monday to hire Anderson, DeSutter and Miller, a search firm, to help the district find a superintendent to replace Bill Makinen whose last day is Friday.

The firm also will assist the district in searching for an interim superintendent. ADM is a group of three former superintendents that began helping schools find superintendents five years ago. It will charge the district $4,000 plus expenses. Patrick DeSutter of ADM said the expenses should be minimal.

School board Chairman Scott Kile told the public earlier this month that ADM's services were free to the district. However, ADM charges districts to find a permanent candidate, but finding the interim is free, as long as the district uses its services in searching for a permanent superintendent.

ADM plans to begin the process of finding the permanent superintendent as soon as possible and is hoping to have one in the district by January 2001. The firm also expects about 25 candidates. DeSutter first plans to conduct interviews with community representatives, including parents, teachers and administrators to see what qualities they want in a school superintendent.

After the candidates are determined, DeSutter suggests that the school board have a group of teachers, parents and administrators help with the hiring process. DeSutter said each group should evaluate the candidates' resumes and recommend its top two candidates to the school board. This will make the school board's decision easier.

"Superintendents are like used car salesman," said DeSutter. "They can make their resume look like it is made out of gold. I could write you a list of candidates and most who apply are slick."

John Davis, school board member, agreed and said this process would be helpful. He said he was involved with the process of finding the last superintendent and it was tough. He said no one could agree.

"We had so many applicants and had it narrowed down to five and I was disappointed," he said. "A lot of the candidates that didn't make it were good. I thought one was really good, but no one could agree."

"The most important quality a superintendent can have is honesty," said DeSutter. "This will be the most important decision you will make as a school board member."

Having an interim superintendent can also be troublesome, added DeSutter. Some interim superintendents, who are not good at the job, could get the district in more financial difficulties even if an interim leader is only with the district for only six or 12 months, DeSutter said.