EDENTON — The Edenton-Chowan Board of Education agreed last week to hire the North Carolina School Boards Association to help it recruit a new superintendent to replace Dr. Michael Sasscer whose last day with the district is Friday.
Meeting June 11 for the first time in the school district’s newly remodeled technology center, the board heard presentations from three superintendent search firms: the N.C. School Boards Association; the Alma Group; and McPherson-Jacobson.
The NCSBA, of which the Edenton-Chowan school board is a member, provides a recruiting and search service to school boards for a fee that is comparable to that of for-profit recruiting firms. The Alma Group and McPherson-Jacobson are private firms that specialize in filling executive positions.
None of the three recruiting entities submitted their fees during their presentations, but all indicated that their services usually cost between 32% and 34% of a new superintendent’s negotiated salary.
The NCSBA stressed its familiarity with North Carolina education’s needs and the region’s rural culture. The Alma Group said it specializes in providing a diverse applicant pool, noting that of the superintendents hired through its efforts, 48% were female, 49% were Black, 14% were Latina, 10% were Asian, and 25% were white. McPherson-Jacobson stressed its professionalism and record of success in finding superintendent candidates, citing its efforts for large school systems across the country.
The Edenton-Chowan board briefly discussed whether or not to use the services of a recruiter before deciding, based largely on previous experience, that the service is worth the expense. After some debate, the board decided to hire the NCSBA, pending successful contract negotiations.
School board members cited the group’s past track record for the school board and its sensitivity to the needs of rural systems like Edenton-Chowan Schools. The search process should take three to four months and involve input from different communities and stakeholders, including students.
Sasscer announced his resignation in April, saying he planned to leave the district on June 21. School board Chairman Gene Jordan later said Sasscer plans to take the principal’s job at Topsail High School in the Pender County Schools.
Chowan Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Kirby paid tribute to Sasscer during the public comment period at the school board’s meeting.
“Thank you, Dr. Sasscer, for everything you’ve done for the community,” Kirby said. “We very much appreciate it. On behalf of the Chowan County Board of Commissioners, to coin an old navy phrase, we wish you fair winds and following seas. Thank you very much.”
Sasscer also reported on test scores at the June 11th meeting. He cited student progress on state testing but advised the board that “growth” in academic performance may not be sufficient before year’s end to change the school district’s designation as “low performing.” He said improvements have been made and that the decision by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction on the Edenton-Chowan Schools’ status will be a close one.
NCDPI determined that the Edenton-Chowan Schools was a low-performing district after two of the district’s schools eligible for assessment received D scores on their report cards and did not meet their expected academic growth targets.
Most Popular
Comments / 0