By Heather Graves
Correspondent

GREEN BAY – The school district is in the market for a new superintendent – and the school board took the first step to get that process started at its special board meeting Monday, June 3.

Board members directed district staff to create a request for proposals, or RFP, as the search begins for a recruitment firm that will identify candidates for the superintendent position.

Trustee Eric Vanden Heuvel has stepped forward to spearhead the search committee.

By starting the RFP process, it’s Vanden Heuvel’s hope the board can start to reach out to the community with listening sessions to engage with constituents and stakeholders.

“It’s intended to gain initial feedback regarding the qualities sought in our next district leader,” Vanden Heuvel said.

Vanden Heuvel brought forth a preliminary proposal for the search process to board members on June 3 to get the conversation started.

Melissa Thiel Collar, district legal counsel, said the superintendent search is strictly scripted in respect to what needs to be posted.

She highly recommended the board hire a search firm.

“There is a science to this,” said Thiel Collar. “There is a method to the madness with respect to superintendent searches.”

Current Superintendent Michelle Langenfeld announced earlier this year that she will retire in 2020.

Knowing that the position needs to be filled now gives the board time to take its time.

“We have the luxury of time, that will give us more time to establish our goals on getting community feedback,” Board President Brenda Warren said.

“Because we have the luxury of time, I want to make sure we do it right,” Vanden Heuvel said.

District staff intends to bring the board information about previous superintendent searches at its meeting on June 17.

“I’m very interested in the process,” said Trustee Kristina Shelton.

Once a draft version of the RFP is created, it will be brought to the board for final approval.