Goodrich – Still on the fence about the two finalists for the Goodrich School District Superintendent opening, votes for the two candidates are split down the middle.
At the Nov. 26 regularly scheduled board meeting, Superintendent Search Director Carl Hartman, who presided at the meeting, said the board needed to determine which two finalists, Wayne Wright, Superintendent, Birch Run Area Schools or Bently Laser, Superintendent Littlefield Public Schools would get a site visitation which would help the district make their final decision.
A consensus of four votes out of the seven school board members, Hartman said, was needed to make a visit to either candidate’s school district.
Trustees Gary Foltz and James Bertrand were absent. However, Board President Michael Tripp said he knew that Gary Foltz and James Bertrand would not support a visit to Wright’s district. Michael Thorp, Tim Zirnhelt and Jeff Engleman said they were interested in only going to Laser’s district.
‘I am not sure we have consensus on either one. I would prefer to reopen the search,? said Trustee Linda Jackson, regarding the split board.
Board President Michael Tripp said it was time to step back, take another look and reconvene at a special board meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 10.
The idea to reopen the search generated a lengthy discussion among board members.
If the search gets reopened, Hartman said the district would repost the position on March 28, 2008 and interview during the third and fourth week in April and name the new superintendent in May. That would bring the new superintendent on board in July.
‘I know nobody wants to hear this, but we need to determine an attractive salary. That would make a difference,? said Hartman, concerned about getting quality applicants if they reopen the search. ‘Are you willing to pay to attract those kinds of applicants? That would open up a different group of people,? he said.
Tripp asked Hartman: ‘You have been a superintendent before Carl, would you apply?
‘Well it would depend on the pay. If the pay were $125,000 a year I would,? Hartman said,
The previous posted salary, Hartman said, would be based on experience and each candidate was told the salary range would start at $115,000 a year. The Goodrich School District has a student enrollment of 2,162.
In comparison, Brandon Superintendent Tom Miller was approved for $126,000 a year for his three-year contract in 2005. The student enrollment in the Brandon School District is 3,584. In July, Oxford’s Superintendent, William Skilling, will earn $131,500 per year with an increase of $10,000 over three years. Student enrollment in Oxford is about 4,300.