Selection process to begin for new CCISD superintendent
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
The Copperas Cove Independent School District board of trustees has taken the first steps in the process of selecting a new district superintendent.
CCISD’s lone finalist and future superintendent could be selected, named, and presented to meet the district as soon as the first week of January 2025.
On Monday, Sept. 16, the CCISD board held a special meeting during which they heard a presentation from Executive Search Services, with the Texas Association of School Boards.
George Kazanas, with ESS, outlined the process of searching for a new superintendent of schools.
For an all inclusive cost of approximately $12,000-$13,000, TASB’s ESS team will aid with advertising and recruitment for the position, accepting applications from superintendent candidates, and come alongside the school board in the process.
In 2024 alone, ESS has assisted the Waco, Arlington, Scherz-Cibolo-Universal City, Brenham, Sharyland, and United ISDs in their superintendent searches. Brownwood, Boerne, Corsicana, Bryan, and Brownsville ISDs have also utilized their services.
Among the first steps is gathering information about what the district desires in the next superintendent of schools. This will include the use of surveys of both CCISD staff and community members, as well as meeting with local groups to include PTOs/PTAs to hear from them. Townhall meetings are also an option.
Trustee John Gallen said he wants the community to have that input, not only via online surveys but through an in-person townhall forum.
Next up in the process is a follow up meeting on Sept. 30 between ESS and the board, when board members will bring their own lists of superintendent qualities.
A timetable was drafted and discussed for the selection process as a whole.
ESS will begin accepting applications after the “leadership profile” for the CCISD superintendent is completed.
After the application time period closes, the school board will review applicants with the assistance of ESS. This is a confidential process. Then, initial interviews will take place after the board has selected the top candidates, followed by second interviews.
The board could find itself assessing applicants and then conducting interviews in the late November time frame, wrapping up narrowing down a lone candidate in December.
Kazanas recommended a site visit to the top candidate at their current home district, once they are selected.
After that will come a vote to name a finalist, followed by a required 21-day waiting period for public response and a final vote to hire and issue a contract.
Kazanas said that generally, it takes 90-120 days from start to finish, for a district to find a lone candidate for the position of superintendent.
The board also voted to accept Joe Burns’ resignation which is effective Dec. 31, 2024.
Burns’ $239,700 annual contract had an expiration date of June 30, 2028.
During Monday’s meeting, the board also voted to authorize Joan Manning, board president, to enter a voluntary retirement agreement between CCISD and Burns.