Board of Education begins superintendent search

By Kayleigh Rahn
The Tuscola Board of Education, during a special meeting Monday, July 30, hired a consultant to conduct a search for the next superintendent of Tuscola schools.

The new school leader will take on the role following current Superintendent Michael Smith who announced earlier this year that he would not look to renew his contract after seven years with the district.

Smith formally announced his decision not to renew his contract during the Monday, Nov. 26 board of education meeting, though his contract will continue through June 2019. He was hired in 2011 as replacement for interim Superintendent Jim Voyles.

The consultant for the search will be Kenneth Hendriksen, current CEO/executive director of the Educational Foundation of St. Teresa High School, in cooperation with the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). The contract will not exceed $1,500 for Hendriksen’s services or $4,500 for services provided by IASB.

The contract was approved following an hour-and-a-half closed session discussion.

Tuscola school board vice president Tim Mooney says the job posting will be listed by Sept. 1; however, in the meantime, the board will look for community input via survey. The survey will be sent out to the community members in various capacities beginning next week.

“This will allow the community an opportunity to give feedback regarding their priorities in character, experience, and leadership,” said board president Khristi Boyer.

The job posting will be closed by mid-November, and the board hopes to have the final candidate selected before the New Year.