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Post by d204taxpayer on Jul 25, 2006 21:13:16 GMT -6
Dist. 204 narrows list of search firms By Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writer Posted Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 board members picked three finalists at a meeting Monday evening from a list of search firms vying to lead the district’s hunt for the next superintendent.
Superintendent Howard Crouse, who has held the position since 2004, announced his resignation in May.
Board members, who rejected four other firms, plan to sit down for 35-minute interviews with the Illinois Association of School Boards, Glenview-based Hazard, Young and Attea and Associates, and Omaha-based McPherson & Jacobson LLC in early August. All three had clauses guaranteeing a free search, minus expenses such as travel costs, should a new superintendent leave within a certain amount of time.
“I liked the fact that a couple of them had satisfaction guaranteed clauses, either a year or 18 months,” board member Christine Vickers said.
Crouse began in the district, which includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, in 1981 as principal of Indian Plains Elementary School. He’ll continue on as superintendent through the conclusion of the 2006-07 school year.
As they interview companies to find his replacement, board President Jeannette Clark said members plan to ask several questions, including: What process do you use to seek out candidates? What does the search fee encompass? Who will be leading the process on the company’s behalf?
“A discussion we’ll have to have is how many of the applications do we want to see as the board,” she said. “Are we comfortable with letting them decide that or do we set a minimum of how many we want to see?”
Hazard, Young and Attea found Crouse’s predecessor Gail McKinzie in 1995 and before her Thomas Scullen, who led the district from 1986 to 1995.
The first round of interviews with the finalists begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 2. They could make a decision that night and officially approve the hire at the regularly scheduled board meeting Aug. 14.
The board also canceled a committee-of-the-whole meeting scheduled for Thursday.
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dailyherald.com
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Post by bob on Jul 26, 2006 6:10:48 GMT -6
Too bad we couldn't have got one for her.
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ilove204
Soph
khkoi00ms,m.stjki050858a;lm m msKtakt
Posts: 50
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Post by ilove204 on Jul 26, 2006 6:15:54 GMT -6
That's not being very nice.
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Post by bob on Jul 26, 2006 6:54:34 GMT -6
Oops I almost forgot. We needed one for JC too; maybe an expiration date would have worked better.
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Post by wvhsparent on Aug 1, 2006 6:28:48 GMT -6
204 hears pitch from first superintendent search firm
By Britt Carson staff writer
AURORA — Indian Prairie School District 204 board members got their first taste of what to expect from a superintendent search firm Monday.
A representative from Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates met with board members and gave a presentation on what the firm offers. The company is the first of three the district asked to come in for interviews. The school board will interview the other two – the Illinois Association of School Boards and McPherson and Jacobson – on Wednesday.
Bill Attea, principal of Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, said his national firm offers a one-year guarantee. If the district is unhappy with the person it hires within a year, the comapny will conduct another search at no cost.
Attea said he expects no shortage of candidates for District 204. He also said the firm aggressively recruits candidates from its national network of associates. He said about 80 percent of the people it places are recruited candidates.
"We feel have a very good track record finding the people that boards are looking for and bringing them into district," Attea said.
Attea said in 90 percent of the 450 superintendent searches his firm has done, the superintendents hired served in that district at least nine years.
Because District 204 is the fourth largest in the state, a person with extensive experience in a large district would likely come from out of state. Therefore, Attea said, the district would likely see a large number of candidates from outside Illinois.
He said the company has extensive experience in Illinois and with surrounding districts. The firm just completed a superintendent search in Geneva and is finding a superintendent for the Wheaton-Warrenville school district. Attea's company also has done searches for districts in Oswego, Glen Ellyn and Glenview.
Attea said the number of candidates the board would see is flexible. However, usually the board will interview about five candidates, then narrow the slate to about three.
He said to expect the search to take approximately 12 weeks. However, if the board hires a firm in August, the search may run into January because of the holidays.
The District 204 board used Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates in 1994 to hire Gail McKinzie, who served as superintendent for nine years; as well as to hire Superintendent Tom Scullen.
Naperville School District 203 used the same firm, which is based in Glenview, in 2002 to hire Alan Leis as its superintendent.
After the District 204 board meets with the other two firms Wednesday, it could make a decision on a firm that night or to wait until its Aug. 14 meeting.
- Contact Britt Carson at bcarson@scn1.com or 630-416-5269.
08/01/06
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Post by chicoryowl on Aug 1, 2006 7:10:16 GMT -6
Too bad we couldn't have got one for her. ROFL...literally
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Post by anteater on Aug 1, 2006 12:59:50 GMT -6
That's one of the problems with elections - the voters don't always know what they're doing, and satisfaction is definitely NOT guaranteed! Of course, a satisfaction-guaranteed policy generally says that you will be refunded the money you paid for something. Last time I checked, being on the school board is a volunteer position, with many of them actually spending at least some sum to attain the position. Is it any wonder they are sometimes lakcing in common sense?!?!
You do raise a good point however, in that terms limits would generally be a good way of ensuring that there's always some new blood on the board. I would generally favor a maximum of 2 terms, although some people should DEFINITELY be capped at 1!!!
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Post by wvhsparent on Aug 4, 2006 7:31:25 GMT -6
Familiar firm to lead superintendent search Dist. 204 picks same group that found last two schools chiefs
By Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writer Posted Thursday, August 03, 2006
Hoping that past success will repeat itself, Indian Prairie Unit District 204 board members again hired Glenview-based Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates Wednesday to search for the district’s next superintendent.
Board members interviewed three finalists Monday and Wednesday evening to replace Superintendent Howard Crouse and settled on the search firm who found the district’s previous two superintendents who, combined, led the district from 1986 to 2004.
“I think all of the final three were strong,” board member Curt Bradshaw said. “The breadth and depth of experience (of Hazard, Young and Attea) is unparalled.”
Crouse, who has led the district since 2004, announced in May that he plans to retire after the 2006-07 school year. He began in the district in 1981 as principal of Indian Plains Elementary School.
The vote at Wednesday’s special meeting was unanimous to spend $17,500 for the group’s search fee. Board member Bruce Glawe was absent.
Hazard, Young and Attea brought Crouse’s predecessor, Gail McKinzie, who ran the district, which includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, from 1995 to 2004. Before that, the same group found Thomas Scullen, superintendent from 1986 to 1995.
The board also interviewed Omaha, Neb.-based McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., and the Illinois School Board Association this week.
But Hazard, Young and Attea stood above the others, board members said.
“(They were) very credible, had a lot of good stories, a lot of good references. (Their representative) was able to answer a lot of our requests about finding districts that are like Indian Prairie and having a nationwide search,” Stephens said prior to Wednesday’s meeting. “In those areas, he kind of showed and proved examples where they have done very similar searches and the criteria they used and how (they’ve) found people from across the country for districts even bigger.”
In addition to the fee of $17,500, the district will pay $2,000 in consultant’s travel expenses and the travel expenses of potential candidates, of which one firm estimated at about $10,000.
Board President Jeannette Clark would have preferred Hazard, Young and Attea’s additional fees such as background checks and workshop costs be included in the total package, rather than what she saw as an afterthought.
“The others presented a more total package that took you beyond delivering the candidate to your doorstep and adios,” she said.
The same search firm also found Naperville Unit District 203 Superintendent Alan Leis, who has led that district since 2003.
“Bill (Attea) seems like a guy that you can have a great rapport with. He seems so cool and confident and I would have total confidence in him,” board member Alka Tyle said.
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dailyherald.com
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Post by wvhsparent on Sept 18, 2006 8:29:22 GMT -6
Dist. 204 wants input on search for superintendent By Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writer Posted Monday, September 18, 2006 Indian Prairie board members say they want to hear from community leaders and residents about the qualities they’d like in a new superintendent. The District 204 school board is working with Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates to conduct a national search to replace Superintendent Howard Crouse, who will retire after this school year. Search firm representatives scheduled community meetings for 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the district offices to collect information they say will help them develop a leadership profile report. “The more input we have, the better,” board President Jeannette Clark said. “People who want to can get up to speak about what characteristics they’d like to see for your next superintendent.” Crouse joined the district — which includes parts of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield — as a principal in 1981. Search firm representatives will take testimony and facilitate a public conversation about his replacement. People who are unable to attend can go to the district’s Web site, www.ipsd.org, and print a leadership assessment form. Completed forms can be sent to Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates Ltd., 1151 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL 60025, or faxed to (847) 724-8467. Search firm members plan to present the leadership profile report — an outline of what’s desired in the new superintendent — to the board Oct. 2. The board expects to begin candidate interviews in January and plans to name the new superintendent in February. The meetings “give people ownership in the process,” Clark said. “They are one of the important stakeholders, and we’re interested in seeing what they have to say.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- dailyherald.com
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Post by Schooldaze on Sept 20, 2006 22:48:05 GMT -6
I've heard Wednesday's crowd was very light. 4 parents, 4 high school students, 1 middle school student. Maybe there will be greater participation Thursday evening, if not, I certainly hope community members are faxing the leadership profiles to the search firm.
BTW, does anyone know why the SB did not do a search after Gail McKenzie retired or was there a search and HC was the top candidate? Was there some unspoken pact that HC would get the nod or did the SB feel his long tenure should automatically be rewarded with the top position. With a busy household I somehow missed how the baton was handed off.
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Post by proschool on Sept 20, 2006 23:03:42 GMT -6
The school board announced the appointment without giving any mention to what they were doing and did not give the opportunity for public comment. They said that they felt that they had the perfect candidate and they were proud of the fact that they saved the money that would have been spent on a search firm.
I suspect that they regretted the way that Howie was appointed but you would never hear them say it.
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Post by wvhsparent on Sept 21, 2006 6:23:28 GMT -6
Residents weigh in on next Dist. 204 chief Those in Indian Prairie want someone to address race relations, test scores By Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writer Posted Thursday, September 21, 2006 Indian Prairie residents want a superintendent who, among other things, will address race relations within the community and has a proven track record in raising test scores. District 204 school board members are working with Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates to conduct a national search to replace Superintendent Howard Crouse, who joined the district in 1981 and will retire after this school year. Search firm representatives took testimony from nine residents Wednesday evening at the first of two public meetings and facilitated public conversation about Crouse’s replacement for a report they plan to present to board members next month. “We’re really not looking for Superwoman or Superman, as much as someone who can utilize their resources in a super way,” said parent Michelle Davis, who said the most important quality to her in a superintendent is good communication skills. Andrea Collier said there’s a fear of diversity in the district’s community, which includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield. “Certainly, any superintendent who comes needs to be sensitive to that,” she said. Parent Laura Kessler said the most important quality in the next superintendent is that they’re creative and forward thinking. “I thought it would be important that they see beyond the day to day,” she said. “I wanted them to go past that and take the district somewhere new.” Paul Thurston, associate with Hazard, Young, and Attea, said the small turnout Wednesday night is not uncharacteristic, unless there are burning issues within the community. “Either people are busy doing other things or they don’t think coming will have an impact or they’re not worried what that outcome is going to be,” he said. Search firm members plan to present the leadership profile report — an outline of what’s desired in a new superintendent — to the board next month. Board members expect to begin candidate interviews in January and plan to name the new superintendent in February. The final public meeting is at 7 p.m. tonight at the District Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. People who are unable to attend can go to the district’s Web site at www.ipsd.org, and print a leadership assessment form. Completed forms can be mailed to Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates Ltd., 1151 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL 60025, or faxed to (847) 724-8467. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- dailyherald.com
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Post by wvhsparent on Oct 13, 2006 8:06:49 GMT -6
It takes a village to find a Dist. 204 school chief By Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writer Posted Friday, October 13, 2006
Finding the perfect school superintendent is never easy.
But Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school board members will hear a summary of what kind of leader residents want when they meet Monday in Aurora.
The search firm hired to find the district’s next superintendent will present its findings from a series of meetings with local leaders, district employees, parents and students as to what type of person they want to replace Howard Crouse, who will retire after this school year.
The information will assist the board as it develops an official profile for the perfect candidate, board President Jeannette Clark said.
“(We’ll take) what we’ve heard from the community and what we heard from the board,” Clark said. “And from there, we will take all of that data and hopefully come up with a profile incorporating the data and everybody’s input.”
Crouse, who has led the district since 2004, began in Indian Prairie as an elementary principal in 1981.
The board will pay Glenview-based Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates $17,500 and additional consultant and candidate travel expenses to find the next leader for the district that includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield.
The firm found Gail McKinzie, who served as superintendent from 1995 to 2004, as well as Thomas Scullen, superintendent from 1986 to 1995.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the District Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive.
“We will take the data and come up with a profile and move forward and incorporate the attributes in coming up with one set group that we would definitely like to see of qualities,” Clark said. “There has to be some sort of priority to the attributes.”
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Post by 204parent on Oct 13, 2006 9:23:34 GMT -6
I'm not a member of CRAFT, nor do I agree with their philosophy of defeating any and all referenda regardless of merit, but CRAFT does have one item in their mission statement that I do agree with:
For those of you who are concerned about the 2009 referendum, now is the time to make sure this type of clause is not included in the new Superintendent's contract.
Perhaps we should question whether we even need a contract for a Superintendent?
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Post by gatormom on Dec 7, 2006 7:57:35 GMT -6
More than 20 interested in leading district Dist. 204 board to pick new superintendent next month
By Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writer
Indian Prairie’s superintendent vacancy caught the interest of more than 20 people, officials leading the search say.
Unit District 204 board members expect to pick a new leader next month for the state’s fourth-largest district, which includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield.
Superintendent Howard Crouse, who has led the district since 2004, announced in May that he plans to retire after this school year.
Members met with search firm leader Bill Attea of Glenview-based Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates last week for a workshop to prepare for upcoming candidate interviews.
“We’re right in the middle of the search,” Attea said. “We’ve got a number of really highly qualified candidates but obviously we’re still in the recruitment mode.”
The 20 candidates fall shy of the 60 people search firm leaders estimated they’d get for the position, board member Mark Metzger said, but that’s not surprising, given the timing.
There are always more people interested who wait to formally express interest for fear of jeopardizing their current job, he said.
“Once word gets out that they’re applying elsewhere, their tenure in their current job tends to run pretty short,” Metzger said.
Attea’s firm will continue recruiting in the next couple of weeks before whittling down the number of candidates to five people in mid- to late December. They’ll present the slate to the board in January. The board isn’t limited to those five choices.
Those people will be selected based on a comprehensive profile already established by the board, administration, staff and community members.
Board members will begin interviews Jan. 12 and 13, and re-interview finalists Jan 14, 15 and 16. They’ll make a final decision Jan. 18.
They’ll announce that decision at the Feb. 12 board meeting.
Board members have prepped with Attea for those interviews.
“We had a lot of discussion about process and procedure, the role of the board, the role of the superintendent and that sort of thing,” Metzger said.
Hazard, Young and Attea also located Crouse’s predecessor Gail McKinzie, who ran the district from 1995 to 2004. Before that, the same group found Thomas Scullen, superintendent from 1986 to 1995.
“Candidates generally prefer to work with the board when there’s a unanimity and agreement of what they expect of a superintendent and what they need of the board,” Attea said. “(Prior to the start of interviews) there needs to be an agreement on the basic principles of governance.”
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