Unified board hires firm to help find superintendent
By Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula News
Published: February 15, 2013
The board of the Santa Paula Unified School District has hired a firm to help in the search for the district’s first superintendent.
The board hired Dave Long & Associates out of Laguna Beach after hearing proposals from three companies at last week’s board meeting. Dr. Joseph Condon, a retired superintendent who worked for the Santa Paula Elementary School District for the 2010-11 school year as interim superintendent, will work with the unified district in the search process.
The board met with Dr. Condon yesterday to work out more details for the search process. The district will pay $18,950 for the work.
Condon will assist the board in developing a profile of a superintendent, along with the background and experience desired. From this profile, they will search for appropriate candidates. The board will see every application.
Three tiers of candidates will be presented: those who best match the profile; those who closely match; and those who Dave Long & Associates don’t believe match the profile. However, ultimately it will be the board’s decision who they will interview.
Dr. Condon’s associate Gerrie Fausett, a retired educator, superintendent and administrator told the board, “We will look for new candidates based on your profile.” She added that the reference check would be done independently by a separate person.
In a separate action, the board has hired the first district employee. Donna Rose, assistant superintendent of Business/Administrative Services for the Santa Paula Union High School District, was hired as chief business official for the unified district. Her contract will run through June 30 of this year and she will receive $1,000 per month. When the new district takes over on July 1 she will have a three-year contract as assistant superintendent, Business Services. Starting then she will receive $125,000 plus applicable benefits.
