Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Friday

January 29, 2010

Firm may be hired to find Feil replacement

Superintendent is set to retire on June 30

BY LINDSAY VANHULLE

TRAVERSE CITY -- School board members in Traverse City want to hire a search firm to help them draft a job description and locate candidates interested in becoming the district's next schools chief.

Board members Marjie Rich, Gary Appel and Julie Puckett formed a committee to discuss how to replace outgoing Superintendent James Feil, who plans to leave the district after his contract ends June 30.

The group will meet Monday to discuss search firms, both in-state and outside Michigan, as well as develop a bid request to distribute to various agencies.

The board could conduct a national search for Feil's successor.

School districts can choose to use outside companies or organizations to help with such tasks as gathering community suggestions, posting the position and attracting candidates.

Elk Rapids Schools last fall used the nonprofit Michigan Association of School Boards in their search to replace former Superintendent Jon Hoover.

Ideally, the board would interview potential firms to learn more about how they could assist Traverse City's district, said Rich, the board's president. A tentative interview date is set for Feb. 22.

"We obviously want to get on this sooner, rather than later, but at the same time, we don't want to rush the process," Rich said. "What we don't want to do is settle because we want someone by July 1."

The committee could meet to review bids as soon as Feb. 8, Puckett said, although that depends on how quickly it issues a request for proposals.

"This is new for all of us," Puckett said. "That might be overly optimistic."

July 1 remains the target hire date, but the board could alter plans if a definite candidate hasn't emerged.

The board hasn't yet decided on a job description or search criteria.

Feil was hired in 2005 and earns $159,832 this year after not taking a salary increase.

The search committee will meet at 3:15 p.m. Monday in Conference Room B at the district's administration building, located on Webster Street in Traverse City.

Related Stories:
- TCAPS starts superintendent search
- Feil leaving TCAPS, not retiring
- TCAPS superintendent to retire

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