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RENOVO -- The Keystone Central School District Board of Directors will consider entering into a contract with DiRocco Education Consulting, LLC during its voting session next Thursday.
The board briefly discussed the contract, which would allow an outside agency to conduct its search for the district's next superintendent during its meeting, during its work session at Bucktail High School on Thursday night.
According to the six-page agreement, DiRocco Education consultants Dr. Mark D. DiRocco and Connie R. Kindler will serve as heads of the search while keeping the board and community stakeholders in the loop.
The total cost of the contract is $19,000 with an estimated $2,000 to $4,000 tacked on for printing, advertising and travel costs, according to the contract.
Although the contract estimates a potential five-month timeline in its search, Superintendent Dr. Jacquelyn Martin said they hope to have a potential candidate on the board's November agenda.
"It's going to be a quick search," she said.
According to the proposed contract, DiRocco Education Consulting will serve at the sole point of contact for all applicants through to the district's identification of their finalist. The contract further notes the board, a designated contact and DiRocco will maintain confidentiality for its candidates.
Phase one of the search, which cannot exceed 45 days, will include the development of a Superintendent Leadership Profile which will include stakeholder engagement and school board approval. The profile will identify the district's strengths, challenges and the priority characteristics for its next superintendent.
Phase two, which cannot exceed 45 days, will include the solicitation for applications nationwide.
Phase three, which cannot exceed 30 days, will feature first round interviews following the review of a pool of candidates by the board and DiRocco's recommendations. This phase also includes the board conducting first-round interviews, identification of finalists and further background checks for those who would move to the next phase.
Phase four, which cannot exceed 40 days, would include final interview processes.
According to the contract, public comments can be added to the final interview process. The contract further states, "However, it could limit the pool of candidates due to the potential loss of confidentiality that may be of concern to sitting superintendents."
Phase 4 also includes determining the final parameters for the district's potential offer to a candidate and contract negotiations involving its solicitor along with the board taking public action in electing a new superintendent.
The contract notes a phase five, which includes another year's worth of assistance from DiRocco following the hiring of a new superintendent.
"To ensure a successful transition, (DiRocco) provides onboarding support services to the new superintendent," the contract states. DiRocco would meet with the new superintendent virtually or in person on a regular basis for up to one calendar year and would be on call as needed between scheduled sessions.
The contract also states the consulting firm would provide assistance in naming an interim superintendent if necessary.
The board also received an update regarding its assistant superintendent search from the head of its personnel committee, board member Tracy Smith.
Smith said Martin is heading the search to replace Mark Condo, who was terminated from the position during a special meeting in August.
Interviews will take place on Sept. 29 and include various stakeholders throughout the community.
Martin said she pulled roughly 40 stakeholders in various areas throughout the district.
Smith said the hope is to have a potential candidate on the board's agenda by its October voting session.