How to resolve AdBlock issue? The unanimous vote to hire Dr. C. Richard Smith of Education Leadership Solutions came at the end of the hour-and-a-half-long meeting.
Superintendent Jill Falconer announced her plans to retire effective June 30. The board accepted her resignation at its Jan. 14 meeting.
Board Chair Dan Buffalo was concerned that the district already is late in getting into the market for a new superintendent, with recruiting often starting early in the year.
Falconer said superintendent hires usually come in three waves, with the first wave early in the year, when established superintendents move into new jobs. By late spring, the third wave arrives, and during the discussion, Buffalo noted those candidates would be less desirable.
Falconer encouraged the board to make a decision sooner rather than later to start the process.
She told the board during the discussion that she received a list of seven consulting firms that conduct searches from Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.
She reached out to those firms, some of which said they were not interested in submitting a proposal.
However, two proposals came in, from Smith and from Leadership Associates of Santa Barbara, a headhunting firm that has conducted hundreds of executive searches.
Smith’s proposal estimated the search would cost $7,500 for him to complete. Leadership Associates gave an estimate of $14,500 for an all-inclusive fee, also offering a guarantee that if the new superintendent leaves within one year, it would conduct a new search at no cost except for travel and advertising expenses.
Smith, who made an appearance during the virtual meeting to answer questions, said he has only conducted one previous superintendent’s search.
That was one he and former Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook completed for the Konocti Unified School District. That search led to the selection of Dr. Becky Salato, hired just one week before the Lakeport Unified Board hired Falconer in May 2019.
During the Konocti Unified recruitment, Smith’s firm used a search committee process. His proposal for Lakeport Unified suggests doing the same.
Smith said his firm previously worked on a bond-related contract with Lakeport Unified.
The firm also was hired in January 2016 to help with formalizing the creation of the Upper Lake Unified School District, as Lake County News has reported.
Smith told the board on Thursday night that Holbrook has moved to Vacaville and he did not expect him to be part of this search process.
Board member Jeannie Markham asked about Smith’s education and career.
He said he spent five years in the US Navy before going to school to get his education degree, which led to him becoming a science teacher at Santa Rosa High School.
Smith went on to take an assistant administrator job in Ethiopia before attending the University of Kansas, where he received his doctorate in administration.
He served as superintendent of the American School in Taipei, Taiwan, worked as an executive at Stanford University and started a research institute in Washington, DC. Smith returned to California, where he was vice president of research and product development for Jostens Co., whose products include high school yearbooks and class rings, and sports championship rings.
Smith retired and moved to Kelseyville, where he and his wife have been active in working with the Kelseyville Pear Festival. He’s also worked on productions with Mendocino College’s Shakespeare at the Lake.
“In my career, I’ve hired an awful lot of people,” said Smith.
Asked by Markham about his strategy, Smith said he would work on a winnowing process that would only bring in candidates the board would seriously consider. He said they would want to prepare the interview so they know exactly what they’re looking for in a superintendent candidate.
Board member Jennifer Hanson asked if Smith is comfortable working with a committee of teachers, staff and community members.
While he said he’s not in a position to insist on it, Smith said he thinks it’s critical to include both staff and community members in the search if for no other reason than to build community support for schools.
Board member Phil Kirby, who spent decades in school administration, made clear early in the discussion that he supported hiring Smith.
Kirby moved to hire Smith and his firm to conduct the superintendent search and to authorize Buffalo to negotiate and execute and agreement with him.
Markham seconded and the board approved the motion 5-0.
Buffalo said he would contact Smith on Friday to begin those negotiations.
Smith thanked them and said that the heavy lifting in the hiring process will be on the part of the board.
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