Oakland school board chooses superintendent search firm

"The board voted to have the district's general counsel Jenine Lindsey negotiate a contract for up to $150,000 with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, an education consulting firm that has placed 76 superintendents in California over the last 10 years. According to its application packet, Hazard, Young helped Oakland hire its director of special education, deputy chief of talent, and deputy chief of facilities in 2015."

"The decision was supported by school board directors Rachel Latta, Jennifer Brouhard, VanCedric Williams, Patrice Berry, Valarie Bachelor, and Clifford Thompson. Mike Hutchinson, the director representing District 4, abstained. Hutchinson has made plain his disapproval of the superintendent search process and his disagreement with his colleagues on the school board over the ousting of the last superintendent, Kyla Johnson-Trammell. On Friday, the school board conducted interviews with the final two firms, Hazard, Young and a firm called Leadership Associates."

""Every school system is struggling in urban America," said Micah Ali, an associate with Hazard, Young who is likely to lead the search in Oakland. "What we'll be looking for are individuals who've demonstrated a capacity, aptitude, and ability to drive systemic change in school systems that are challenged fiscally, in school systems where there's a high level of chronic absenteeism as well as significant IDEA (the national special education law) challenges.""

The school board selected Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates and authorized general counsel Jenine Lindsey to negotiate a contract for up to $150,000. Hazard, Young has placed 76 superintendents in California over the past decade and previously assisted Oakland hiring several central administrators in 2015. Most board directors supported the decision while one director abstained, citing disagreement over the prior superintendent's ouster. The board interviewed Hazard, Young and Leadership Associates. Hazard, Young emphasized seeking leaders able to drive systemic change in fiscally challenged urban schools with high chronic absenteeism and IDEA compliance issues. A community engagement plan will inform the leadership profile.

Read at The Oaklandside