001All right, you are live. >> All right, good afternoon. It's 4:00 in the Secondary School Media Center and we will call the meeting to order and we'll start with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I'll roll call. Vincent. >> Here. >> Alrick. >> Here. >> Sauer. >> Here. >> Sandstedt is not with us. Porter. >> Here. >> And Gross. >> Here. >> All right. Um we don't have any public comment today. Uh if you look at the agenda, are there any questions on the agenda? All right. We'll move right into new business. Um item number one would be to accept the resignation of Superintendent Brownell. Do
002you have any comments for us, Mr. Brownell? >> Just want to say I thank thank you guys for your support and the time over the past 4 years. It's been an honor to serve the district, to serve the great students and staff we have here. So, this was presented with a really good opportunity and I'm going to take advantage of that. So, willing to help throughout the transition wherever I can. Um so, let me know where I can help and where I'm not needed, but I can also step out at those points there, too. So, again, thank you for your support throughout these 4 years and allowing me to serve here as I was a teacher here years ago, and coming back to serve as a leader has been a real privilege. >> We want
003to thank you as well for your time here and all your hard work and all the roles that you served that weren't superintendent roles. We appreciate that. >> Thank you. I'd like to say thank you as well, Paul. You've been great to work with and uh congratulations on your new endeavor. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Other comments, questions? I'll look for a motion to accept that resignation. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor, say aye. >> Aye. >> Motion carries. Uh our second item, you'll see discuss, consider uh interim superintendent position. Obviously, we need a superintendent, so there are some different um routes we can go. Um with the late um with the time frame we're in currently, um or maybe I should back up. In a if you were going
004to go out ideally, you would probably go out in January, and you would post for a 6-week time period, and then you would um take the all the applications, and you would go through them, and you'd decide to interview. Um it ends up being about a 3-month process. Uh we obviously, with Paul's departure the end of June, we don't have 3 months to work with here. And so, um you know, if the board chose to, we could certainly go down that road. I guess I don't think that's our best advantage right now. Um the other option is uh the executive search committee for MSBA. Um they place interims regularly. So, um they do have um an interim candidate that they would recommend to us. Uh the candidate's been vetted. He is actually uh was offered
005a job in Melrose. He was also a finalist in um Minnewaska. Um so, it comes highly recommended to us from MSBA. Um we could just hire an interim candidate for right now, and and get to a better place to go out for an actual superintendent search. And so, I guess starting point would be what are board thoughts on how do we want to proceed? >> Would that interim candidate, would that be like a year time frame? >> So, there's a So, there That's a good question. There are some options. We could do Um I talked with Barb Dorn considerably last week. Um we could do a 1 2 3-year contract, whatever we chose. Um I personally, I think we should do more than just a 1-year contract. I don't think we get a you know
006Essentially, if we give a 1-year contract by December, we have to decide if we're going to post for a job or not. Which means we get about 4 months, roughly with school going on with the candidate. So, to be able to have that answer in 4 months, I think it's tough. Um So, there are some things we could do. We could do a 2-year contract. Um the candidate that they have suggested to us would be interested in that with us. Um some of the urgency for this is Albany's in the same boat we are. They're out for an interim. They are They started a little bit earlier than us. Their posting closes on Monday. And he would potentially be a candidate there as well. So, again, um there's interest in that. We could go a
0071 2 3-year. Doesn't matter. They said we could still do the same thing with an interim candi- or contractually that we would do with a superintendent. It would just be an interim versus a superintendent. There would just be that difference in the title. >> Are there opportunities for language in an interim contract that would give both parties way out before the end of it It say if we went more than 1 >> Yes, another good question. Um I did speak with Barb. She said there is um the ability to put that kind of language in there not only to protect us but also to protect candidate if we get to the end of one year and the candidate says this isn't a good fit for me. You know, they would have the ability to say
008this isn't this isn't a good fit or you know, potentially if we got to that same point we we would also have the opportunity for that. >> Good end of the >> Well, I just you know, we wouldn't want if we put language like that in any contract for anyone that we're looking at we wouldn't want to give that person an out at June or where we'd be great where we're at now. >> Right. >> Um so it would have to be like a date. >> We would have to look at We would have to look at some stuff. >> or something that would give you still adequate time to do something. >> Mhm. >> Go ahead Darren. I'm sorry. >> I'm sure that's not a good idea that is if it's a year then
009we're right back in the same boat. >> Right. Absolutely. >> The end of the day in term position I don't And we have a us as a vet in the person because we have a hand >> No. And so that would be so that's another piece then if if we decided to go that route, yes, we absolutely would. We would set a date. We would have to post again. We'd have to give at least a 3-day notice for our posting. Um we could sit down um I talked with again, I asked the question of Barb. She said it could be as formal or as informal as you like. You would have the the opportunity to vet that person or at least have a conversation. It's not a hey, we should hire this guy and you've
010never seen him before type of a deal. We certainly could bring him in and and have that conversation. I I I mean, I guess personally I would I would hope that's what we would want to do. Um it would just basically would remove our obligation to post for a certain length of time and then it would also allow us um you know, just some I would guess maybe to expedite the process a little bit. So um there is legality behind having a superintendent in your district. um There also is wiggle room. You know, obviously if we you know, there's there's times when you don't you might not have one. Um but as long as we're actively pursuing someone or or some a plan, um she said there's some some lenience there. So >> My feeling
011is that I'd like to approve this person as interim position and move forward. Um I I would I don't I I as well don't want to see a vacuum in our superintendent position. So I think it's important. >> And you all saw you know, everybody got the information. >> Yeah. >> That was the candidate MSBA would and again, um it's a protected item until we would make a decision on that. But um it's certainly that's why we put it here. If everybody's in favor of going the interim route and they they would like to do that then what we would do is we would um we would make that decision. We're going to go forward with the interim position. Um and then we would have to set up time with that candidate to get in
012where we could all meet and and ask questions. Um Get a feel. And then after that we would potentially then look to approve the hire. >> I'm I'm I'm fine with moving forward with an interim position. I'm not okay with moving forward without speaking to the candidate first. >> Yeah, and absolutely. I I agree 100%. >> Regardless of what I've read or not read. >> Mhm. >> That's why I think you know, not just for us here at the table, for the community listening this is complicated, right? There's a lot of So if we as a group agree that we are going to seek an interim, then the group next needs to say, are we going to post? There's no requirement to post, right? So, it's like we got a chunk of this. Do we
013feel strongly that we need to post? Do we feel like we're we're in a position to do that differently and not post? And then, is it a full board interview? Then we then it's a full board meeting or, you know, >> Mhm. >> it's a struggle because the competition is intense right now for very few people. >> I can't remember the number of open superintendent positions, but there's several across the state. >> So, to me, you just kind of got to piece that out. Make sure we all understand it. >> Well, the question is right now, are we going to approve an interim superintendent position or not? So, I I think you should call the question. >> I agree. I will vote for that. >> Yeah. >> I'll second that. >> So, I have a
014motion and a second that we would go forward with the interim position. >> I do have one question. >> Yep. Danny, go ahead. >> If we we all, you know, basically agree that we want to move forward with the interim. That's step one. >> Yep. >> If we decide that this candidate from MSBA is not a good fit for us, >> Mhm. >> what is our option then? Like >> Then well, then we'd have to Then essentially we'd have to We'd probably have to post. Um again, the information I'm getting is from the MSBA executive search committee, so they don't have very many candidates in our region. They have several candidates throughout the state. There's not very many close to us. So, this would be their top candidate for us. Um Barb said she she
015felt like it would be a good fit for us. If we don't that, then yes, we would we would want to go back to the posting piece for an amount of time that we chose. It could be a week, it could be 2 weeks. We'd have to see what kind of candidates we found, and then again, we would have to look at um setting up interviews and going that route, which again extends us out to, you know, >> But but moving for an interim >> Mhm. >> doesn't really aside from, you know, this candidate that is a potential, >> doesn't really harm us in any way. Like, if we don't accept that candidate, >> Right. >> there is still an avenue. It's not like we move and we've just decided >> Nope. >> that's the
016guy. >> Nope. >> We That's not the question. We're looking for an interim position, not a person >> Right. Right. So, what this would So, what >> By calling that question, are we not posting? Are we Are we having the discussion on posting? >> Correct. So, So, then >> We're just saying that that's the route we're going to go. We haven't said if we're going to post, we haven't said how long we're going to post, we haven't said how many candidates we're going to talk about. >> And so, then that >> This is as often >> This would be one step of that process to say yes, we want an interim we want to go the interim route, and then we'd have to have that discussion about are we going to post or not post.
017Um do we want to if if we if everybody's gone through and say, "Well, we like to interview this guy to see." Then then we would look at we would look to set that date for an interview, and and then we'd move forward from that point. >> I wonder if it makes sense to look at it like this. We We The motion passed. We're >> Yeah. >> screening an interim. >> It hasn't passed. You're right. You're right. So, we're hypothetical. We haven't voted yet. We haven't voted yet, but we're still There's that Yep, additional discussion there. >> So, if time is of the essence, which I heard you say, I think it'd be important for the board to interview this person, however that format looks at quickly, so we can rule in or rule out
018and hop to a posting if we needed to. Like, we wouldn't we would want to do that >> soon. >> Very promptly. Then we know that if we're going to post, we know we we're going to want to maximize that opportunity as quickly as possible to do that. >> How many candidates did they have available on our region that they know of? And if they >> They had two. >> Two. Okay. How soon do you think we would be able to sit down and talk with this >> So, >> candidate. >> question for you, Paul, would be what is the if we post on a Friday, so it's 72 hours. So, it But does the >> count? Yeah. >> count the weekend. So, essentially, if we were to say right now we're going to interview
019this gentleman, the quickest would be Monday or Tuesday. And we have a board meeting on Wednesday already, right? So, um that would be the soonest that that could happen. >> I'm not trying to be >> No. No, no, no. >> I'm just saying if this is a candidate MSBA has vetted, >> Mhm. >> and they need to work for us, obviously, then I don't know that I would feel a strong need to post for this particular candidate. I'd want to look at them as quickly as possible to rule them in or rule them out, and then post if if we are at risk of a candidate being picked up by another district, like Albany. >> I agree. So, I guess if we were to >> The downside is the only downside is that. There is
020that if we were actually going over a full process, they would have vetted all of the candidates. And they they would say they're all you know, they would have gave us a these five, right, we'll say, however many it may be. It might be three, five, seven, 10, I don't know. But, they're going to say, we vetted these people, we think these people would work for you. But, then they get to us. And none of them might work for us. And we get through the process, or we narrow it down to one. They could be out of work, right? So, I'm not trying to be I just want to make sure that we're not >> rushed. >> We I mean, we have to rush, but we can't We got to still try and do our,
021you know, our due diligence and not just go off because if MSBA is wrong, what are they owed? >> Right. >> But, if they're wrong, and we hire, we're a lot, right? We got to live with it day-to-day. Right. They get to move on to the next person. >> So, it's a it's a very >> I would >> different I have a question. If if we post, and we get 10 applicants, is MSBA going to vet all of them? >> Uh we can work with MSBA. They We would have to ask them. Right. We could >> to do it. >> We could ask them to look at those candidates. >> And right now, you would say that they have two candidates, and they vetted one. >> No, I would tell you that they have two
022interim possibilities in our region, not necessary not necessarily are they >> They've recommended one to us. >> Right. The I guess my point would be is, you know, there there could be a principal with the credentials that isn't in their mix that would apply that they aren't going to have any information on yet, right? So, that they're not going to have every person that could apply in their Let's call it a database. >> They have >> And what I'm getting at is if we get a bunch that apply unless we ask MSB to do it, they're not going to. It's not automatic. Right. So, my I'm going to make a motion again. It's on the table that we approve an interim superintendent position and talk to this person. >> Clara seconded it. >> Okay. Call
023the question, please. >> One one question I'll ask before we vote is is if we were to set up an interview say Monday, Tuesday with this candidate, would it be any would anybody be heartbroken that we waited 4 days to post? Is that going to change much in the If we don't like the My my point is if we don't like the candidate. We're going to talk to him Monday or Tuesday. Would anybody here feel like we're we really outed ourselves going waiting from Friday to Monday for Tuesday to post? I don't know that we have all the information ready to be posted. >> Right. So, I think we move ahead and see if we can talk to this person. And if it doesn't work out Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and we we don't have a
024good feeling, then we post. >> Okay. >> I think we could always post. Nobody's >> Right. Well, we're not going to post till Monday. >> Right. But, I would agree with you as we move forward and something feels mushy or however you want to describe that, then we say post. >> So, then >> I think we've got We just have to talk to the person beforehand. And then we don't have a lot of options that are right now they say we can our you know, qualify in our area. So, >> And >> don't have right now on our agenda to approve anybody, but an interim position. >> we wouldn't do that, but we could then, what I would do is work with this candidate A and try to set something up for next week, which
025we would have to post for if we're going to do the full board. Um, and I would think, you know, there again, we could do that. And then we would we could make that decision and potentially that could be on our Wednesday agenda if we chose to make that, you know, we would have that discussion afterwards, obviously. If everybody's in favor, that would be an agenda item for Wednesday. >> Of of the candidate after they were interviewed? >> Of the if we were going to interview candidate A as our interim position, we would then have that discussion. And since we already have a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, that would give us Wednesday to be able to make that, that could be an agenda item for Wednesday's meeting. >> So, I'm going to muddy the waters
026for and I'm sorry cuz I know there's a agenda, but or motion. If if we're going to have a full board interview, we have to have 3 days, correct? 72 hours. >> That's why I needed to set it up for Monday or Tuesday next week. >> And and that would count that that clock starts ticking at 6:00 tonight or >> Yeah, whatever we If we would post it, I would have to obviously get a hold >> legally posted. >> And we we have to post for that interview. We'd have to post for the interview. >> So, the earliest we could interview under that scenario. >> Under that scenario would be Monday evening at this point. Monday or Tuesday evening would be >> Okay. >> As long as we As long as I could confirm and
027we could get it posted. We would have to be whatever time we posted it would be the earliest we could do it on Monday. Does that make sense to everybody? >> Yeah. >> Saturday's 1 day, Sunday's 2 days, Monday's 3 days. >> this person >> And this >> When this person can get here. >> Right. So, that was would be what I would have to figure out as if we could get him here either Monday night or sometime Tuesday. >> And you know, posting tonight, I'm not sure Paul's kind of busy now. >> Paul might be busy tonight with a something, but I can still get it posted, so that's >> Yeah. >> Do you Do you remember cuz I don't remember at all, but when we um hired the interim in the past, cuz
028we've had a few of them. >> Yeah. >> Were they like a single person thing or was it a single >> Yes. So, well, so what happened was we had done a search. The last one we hired was Doc Cheney. We had done a search. Um we offered to a gentleman and he declined. And so, at that point, we offered to our second. He was not inclined to be the second choice, so he declined. And at that point then, we had MSP. They were actually working with us on that search, I believe. And they said, "We have potential interim." In that case, Doc Cheney had already been here for a couple of years previous to that. So, he was familiar with the district. I think we just said, "Yep, that'll be our fill." Because at
029this point now, we're, you know, we were way deep into the process and we were we were late again then, and I think we were in March. You know, so that at that time, the board decided, "Hey, we're going to take this opportunity to get him in here for this time, and then we move forward that way." And I would guess >> I don't remember. >> I would say the only other The only other difference was Well, I and I won't Mr. Mr. Hogey was here for 3 years. And he he was only looking for a 3-year contract at that time. So, and we knew that when we hired him. And we said, "Okay, well, this is a good, you know, transition period." And we didn't have a a a release He was by far,
030I think, the strongest candidate, but we didn't have a very good pool outside of that. And the idea was this is kind of like an interim because we know we're only going to get 3 years. But we're going to get somebody who knows what they're doing for 3 years. So, that was kind of the same I would say a similar, although he was a you know, he was not in an interim position. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. >> So. Any further discussion? As I do have a motion and a second on the table to move forward with an interim position. Any other discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed, same sign. Motion carries. So, at this point now, then I will reach out to the candidate. I will try to set
031something up. Is there anybody that has conflict either Monday or Tuesday that would prohibit them from meeting. Let's just say it's probably a I'm going to say it's a 5:00 or 6:00, you know, >> Well, Paul's got a post. >> Right, so >> to be done before >> Right. >> can't receive it on the night. >> No, exactly. So, we'll we'll have to figure that out. So, I'm going to I'm going to say it at the earliest it could be is probably 6:00 on Monday. >> the time you get calls made and everything, so >> It was city council meeting? Okay. Tuesday's open? >> I'm open Tuesday. >> Earlier Monday wouldn't work, but it >> Yeah, I don't know if we'll I don't know if we'll make that. >> Yeah, I think we I should
032be able to >> Tuesday or the evening Monday, like I mean like 8:30 or something. >> Okay. Um >> Paul, how long I I don't know the current posting deadline. How long would it take you to put that posting? >> I can type it up, get it to Kevin. He's here, so he'll get it posted, and so it It would take >> What what I'm wondering if you excuse yourself to post, then we can talk about some more pieces. >> Do you need to confirm that with the candidate, right? That is what you're >> Yeah, I'll have to call >> confirming the position. Like I have some contract things I'd like to kind of explore. >> Well, we haven't gotten there yet though. That would be after we would >> with any candidate, but okay,
033we can wait. We can wait. >> Yes, you're you're absolutely right. It would be something we would have to negotiate, but as soon as we have somebody that >> I was thinking about >> No, right language and stuff like that. That's all stuff we could do after we >> All right. >> you know, we would set that up. We would we would go into the When we decided if let's just say we went say it's Tuesday night. Everybody interviewed. We said yes, we're going to hire this candidate. At that time then we would put an offer out and say we'd like to go into negotiations with the con for a contract and that's where we would get to that point. Does that make sense to you? >> Country City Council meeting? >> Uh, 7:00 on
034Monday. >> Okay. >> And I would I haven't seen the agenda, but I don't think any I don't know if any giant things are on there that would take time to >> I'm just wondering if we could do it at 5:30. >> Well, I mean we might be able to get to that, but again, I still would have to reach out to the candidate to make sure that he would be available. >> Like we need to let my office with him and see if something is possible or not. >> Well, what I'll do is is there any anybody else got conflicts on Tuesday? >> Not in the not in the evening. >> Not in the evenings. Okay, so what I'll do is I'll reach out right after this meeting. I'll try to get something to
035Paul. Hopefully, I can get a hold of him and we can set something up prior to graduation and then we could get posted and we could get that figured out. So, if it was 5:30, you could make Monday. >> Yep. >> Okay. And then I'll also reach out to Kayla, too. I know she works today. If Did you say Monday's okay? >> Yeah, Monday or Tuesday or both. >> Okay. And you're good >> As long as afternoon. >> Yep. Okay, so let me we'll conclude this meeting then. Um So, Nathan made that motion. Claire seconded it. >> Yep. >> And that passed. And then we would look for adjournment, but then I'll reach out to the candidate and see what we can set up. And we'll get I'll get a message to the board and
036we'll get it posted. >> I motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor, say aye. >> Aye. >> I have uh 4:20 7. >> Okay. >> I will go start taking them. >> Okay. I'll make some phone calls. And I'll let you guys check your dates and see what you can do.