Hiring a search firm is not so unusual.
Private corporations do it all the time when looking for new CEOs.
The school system, however, is not U.S. Steel. If board members want to build needed public support for the public school system, they must not bite any of the hands that want to feed them. Unfortunately, the board's decision to put months-old offers of help from the Chamber of Commerce and other groups on the back burner sends the wrong message. On Tuesday this week, board members spent about three hours interviewing representatives from two Midwestern firms that help school systems find superintendents. Not surprisingly, both companies stressed the importance of involving the community in the recruitment process.