School board hires search firm to help replace Superintendent Cox

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

After a bit of hesitation, the Charles City School Board of Education moved forward with the search for a new superintendent on Monday.

Three search firms — McPherson and Jacobson, Ray and Associates, and Grundmeyer Leader Search addressed the board and made presentations.

In the end, the board went with Grundmeyer.

Grundmeyer, based in Ankeny, offered a five-step plan in its proposal, with a tentative timeline that selects a new superintendent by the estimated date of May 16.

The timeline includes an application period through the end of April, reviewing candidate pools the week of May 1, screening candidates the week of May 7, and formal interviews with the finalists the week of May 14.

The firm also said in its proposal that it will work with the new superintendent through July 1 to help the selected candidate establish a entry into the school district.

Grundmeyer estimates a total cost of a full search at $9,989, although the firm said that the district may choose to conduct some steps in the search on its own, and in that case, the total cost will be reduced accordingly.

The board initially decided to hold another special meeting to make the decision, but then decided to reconsider the issue. Director Robin Macomber moved to hire Grundmeyer, the motion was seconded by director Josh Mack, and the board approved the motion unanimously.

After five years as superintendent at Charles City, Dan Cox announced his resignation in order to accept a new position as chief administrator of the Northwest Area Education Agency, based in Sioux City. His resignation will take effect on June 30.

The special meeting to hire a search firm took place before Monday’s regular board meeting. The meeting was initially scheduled to take place last Tuesday, but was postponed due to the weather.

In regular business on Monday, the board unanimously approved the budget for the 2018-19 school year after hearing no public comments. The budget reflects a $12.746 per $1,000 of assessed valuation property tax rate and a 6 percent surtax rate. The property tax rate is an increase of 0.03 percent from this year’s budget, while the surtax rate will remain the same.

The board also unanimously approved an adjustment to the 2017-18 budget, which was requested in case the district spends carryover categorical funds, after receiving no public comment on the item.

The amendment asks for a spending increase of $656,000 in carryover instructional funds and $20,520 in non-instructional funds, mainly food service items. There will be no increase in taxes to cover the changes.

The board postponed action concerning recent cost reduction recommendations until the April 23 meeting.

Superintendent Cox had previously suggested nine actions which could save the district nearly $175,000. He has been working to establish an operational sharing agreement with neighboring districts that could generate additional revenue from state tax dollars. The agreement is expected to be complete before the next meeting.

Additionally, negotiations with the two unions representing teachers and support staff are still in progress, so Cox recommended delaying final action.

In other business Monday, the board:

• Unanimously approved a seven-year drink-vending contract with Atlantic Coca-Cola bottling company to supply pop, water and Powerade. The previous contract with Pepsi had expired. The contract with Coca-Cola includes $12,500 toward the athletic complex in years one and two and an additional $2,250 toward the complex in years three-five. The $25,000 gift for years one and two includes naming rights to the scoreboard one diamond for 10 years.

• Unanimously approved the resignation of Kendall Gent, fourth grade teacher, middle school football coach and ninth grade baseball coach, effective at the end of the school year.

• Unanimously approved the hiring of Hannah Kemp, assistant girls tennis coach, effective April 9; also approved the hiring of Samuel Shaffer, high school English teacher, Chealsey Moen, high school counselor, and Malinda M. Mick, elementary media and technology specialist — all three effective Aug. 13.