The West Central Valley School Board met in a special session Wednesday. Two superintendent search firms presented their services to the Board.

Dr. Gaylord Tryon and Associates presented first. Tryon and Associates started in 2001, and have conducted 175 superintendent services, including the selection of current superintendent Dr. David Arnold. Joining Dr. Tryon were former Knoxville superintendent Dr. Randy Flack and former Eagle Grove superintendent Dr. Randy Braden. Tryon utilizes an in-house database and a vast network of contacts for candidate recruitment. The firm emphasizes predominantly in-state candidates and an extensive interview process.

Dr. Grundmeyer Leader Group followed. Dr. Trent Grundmeyer is a professor in the Educational Leadership Department at Drake University’s School of Education. Current Colfax-Mingo superintendent Dr. Jim Verlengia assisted Grundmeyer in the presentation. Verlengia assisted West Central Valley on the hiring of Dr. Arnold, and other management searches. Four districts have rehired Grundmeyer for multiple positions and 100 percent of Grundmeyer’s districts have been completely satisfied, six months after the hire. The firm emphasizes technological advancements, including the usage of social media and common job platforms for candidate recruitment. Grundmeyer also utilizes numerous background checks and metric analysis to determine the best candidate for the position.

The Board also discussed the necessity to finalize a job description before selecting a firm. Board Member Jenyse Belden summarized the Board’s opinion on a plan moving forward. “I just worry that we put too much on one person; you’re spreading them so thin they’re not going to do a great job with anything. Maybe we’ll get a better pool of candidates going for superintendent if they’re not ‘slash principal’.”

The Board will select a firm and finalize their selection plan at the next regular Board meeting.