Search for new CCSD superintendent to run into the fall

Trustees approved a timeline for their superintendent search with the possibility of adding weekend or afternoon meetings to accommodate school district employees’ work hours as the search progresses. 

The Clark County School District Board of Trustees last week reviewed and approved the preliminary timeline for a nationwide superintendent search over the next three months — starting with a survey period in August to determine what characteristics administrators, teachers, parents, and students want to see in the next superintendent.

Hazard Young Attea Associates (HYA), the company the district contracted to conduct the superintendent search, scheduled monthly meetings starting July 25 where trustees will receive updates. In the meeting next week, Trustees will establish the salary and benefits for the new superintendent so that HYA can launch the advertising campaign.  

According to the tentative timeline, a focus group and community survey will also be held in August, and trustees will then discuss how interviews should be conducted. 

Potential candidates will have until Sept. 30 to apply and candidate interviews will take place during public meetings in October, when the board will narrow down the pool and select the finalist on Oct. 30. The process, including contract negotiations, would end on Nov. 14.

Some members of the public urged the trustees to delay the superintendent search as the timeline overlaps with the Nov. 5 election, in which as many as four trustees could be replaced. Speakers argued that the process should continue after the new board members are sworn in. 

Others raised concerns with the scheduled meetings starting at 9 a.m., which interferes with district employees’ working hours, leading to thousands of school employees being left out of the search meetings and interviews. 

Trustees noted that the meetings during the interview process might already be long — with interviews ranging from 90 minutes to two hours, with potentially eight to 10 candidates — and that starting later would mean ending later.

“Right now, this could easily be a 10 hour day … So we may perhaps, at this time, keep it still at 9 a.m., but know that as we get closer, we can make potentially those changes,” said board President Evelyn Garcia Morales, adding that the possibility of weekend meetings could be a good compromise.