The Cumberland County Board of Education tabled a motion at Tuesday’s meeting for the N.C. School Board Association to oversee selection of a new superintendent.
It was the only recommendation put forth by the board’s Personnel Committee; some board members were not comfortable with that, saying they wanted additional options.
Chair Deanna Jones asked why the NCSBA was the only group recommended to handle the process of searching for the next superintendent.
“I’d like to know who made the decision that we were actually going to vote … and I wasn’t asked. I’m not comfortable with receiving [the recommendation] for one organization. I’d like to table it until we can get other organizations for the search,” Jones said.
Board member Jacquelyn Brown agreed. “We need to let the public see that we have options,” she said.
Current Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. announced in December that he planned to retire, with his last day being June 30. Connelly has held the post since 2018.
The N.C. School Board Association is an organization that provides support to boards of education, superintendents and other leaders by helping them navigate complex roles that come with the positions.
The additional search agencies being sought by the board will be asked to attend the Personnel Committee’s Jan. 30 meeting to present their recommendations. The final recommendations will then be presented to the full Cumberland County Board of Education at its February meeting.
“What I’ve heard is that you would like to reopen the search process and get the [board] attorney to have other names by the next committee meeting,” said Nick Sojka, board attorney.
The state School Board Association’s consulting fee is $21,500 with another $3,089 to cover additional expenses, bringing the total to $24,589.
“We needed to have additional options and show the public that we’re transparent. If there’s no other options, then fine,” Jones said after the meeting.
Other business
The board also recognized Haleigh Baker, a teacher at Cumberland International Early College High School, as a finalist for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund N.C. Beginning Teacher of the Year award.
Baker is one of 27 teachers from across the state to be considered for an honor that recognizes the “dedication, innovation and ability to inspire students to succeed,” according to the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching.
The winner will be named during a March 7 ceremony in the Elliott University Center at UNC-Greensboro.
