Here's the price tag for Ann Arbor schools' search for a new superintendent
The search for a new superintendent for Ann Arbor Public Schools, which eventually ended in the hiring of Patricia Green, cost the district about $30,000.
The amount is within the range expected by trustees.
However, the cost of the search was more than three times the cost of searches for new superintendents in Lincoln Consolidated Schools and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.
Ann Arbor’s search cost $29,919.33, according to documents obtained by AnnArbor.com through the Freedom of Information Act.
The search was predicted to cost $20,000-$35,000 by board president Deb Mexicotte at the beginning of the process. Mexicotte was unable to be reached for this story.
The majority of the costs came from hiring consultants Ray & Associates to collect a pool of candidates and narrow them down into finalists, along with advising the school board on how to run the search. The firm was paid $14,000 for their role in the search, compared to an estimated $21,000 to $24,000 range provided at the beginning of the process.
HeidiAnn Long, an executive search assistant for Ray & Associates, said the cost of superintendent searches varies depending on the district making the hire. She said national searches, like the one AAPS ran, often end up costing more because of the costs associated with flying in candidates and the consultants.
“It really varies depending on the district, the size and what (the searches) entail,” Long said, adding that some bigger districts can pay as much as $50,000 for national search.
Green eventually was hired in early March after a search process that began when former superintendent Todd Roberts announced he was leaving the district in August.
The Ann Arbor search cost more than two superintendent searches that ended up hiring candidates from Michigan.
Michael Emlaw, superintendent search consultant with the Michigan Association of School Boards, worked with the WISD and Lincoln schools to hire their new superintendents. Emlaw said those searches cost approximately $8,500 and $9,000, respectively.
The WISD ended up hiring Scott Menzel, superintendent of the Livingston Educational Service Agency, as its new superintendent and Lincoln hired Ellen Bonter, superintendent of the Mason County Eastern School District.
Emlaw said all three searches were national searches, but the difference could be in the fact that Ann Arbor hired the Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Ray & Associates, as opposed to a Michigan-based search firm.
“They were all national searches,” he said. “I think the distinction could be between a national search conducted by a Michigan firm and a national search conducted by a national firm.”
The second-highest cost associated with Ann Arbor’s search for a new superintendent was expenses reimbursed to candidates for their trips to be interviewed.
The total amount spent on candidate expenses was $7,977.52 for the six semi-finalists brought to Ann Arbor in February for the first round of interviews, and then for Green and finalist Michael Munoz’s second interviews in early March.
Munoz, from Des Moines, ended up costing the district the most money — a total of $3,460.77, according to district documents. Munoz was the last interview on Feb. 17 and ended up missing his flight, requiring him to stay in Michigan an extra night before flying back. The total cost for his first interview was $1,137.31, including airfare, parking, hotel and transportation.
For his second interview, Munoz cost the district $1,412.10 in airfare, $251.95 in expenses and $659.41 in hotel costs for a total of $2,232.46.
Bringing Green to Ann Arbor from Pennsylvania for two interviews cost the district $2,031.50. The majority of charges from the first interview, which cost $885.07, were for airfare, in addition to one meal and a taxi to and from the airport.
The second interview cost the district $1,146.43 and included a rental car, her airfare and one flight for her husband. The majority of costs were for the hotel room at The Dahlmann Campus Inn.
The candidate who traveled the longest for her first interview not surprisingly cost the district the most for that round of interviews.
Shelley Redinger, who eventually removed her name from the process after accepting a job at another school district, tacked up $1,170.42 in expenses during her two-day trip to Ann Arbor. Her roundtrip airfare from Portland to Detroit cost $860.80.
She also had four meals, accumulating a total of $35.71. Redinger was the only candidate to charge the district for more than one meal.
The candidate who cost the district the least amount of money was Bill DeFrance, the superintendent of Eaton Rapids schools in Michigan. DeFrance drove the 122 miles to Ann Arbor for his interview, costing the district $83 in mileage.
Manuel Rodriguez of Baltimore County schools and Paul Long of the Pennsbury School District in Pennsylvania cost the district $559.85 and $671.98, respectively.
Advertising the job with various publications ended up costing the district more than $5,600.
The superintendent position was advertised on MLive.com at a cost of $50, three times in Education Week for a total of $4,961.64 and with the American Association of School Administrators for $674.00.
Renting interview space in the Courtyard by Marriot in Ann Arbor an food for the interviews on Feb. 15, Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 cost the district $1,991.42.
Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Bertha Venation
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
Don't git me started! Jed!!!! Jed!!!!
macjont
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 1:55 a.m.
Johnnya2: "This forum is filled with morons." I agree with you, but be careful. You are coming terribly close to calling (easily identified) people "names," and, as you must be aware, the AAdotcom "delete monsters" are always on the prowl. That aside, a well-stated comment.
pegret
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 8:54 p.m.
Seems rather unnecessary to have to pay for hubby's flight too.
macjont
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
So many know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Bean counters!
Sunshine26
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 8:06 p.m.
To the citizens of Ann Arbor who pay school taxes: Stop. Look. Listen. A change is needed. The system to choose a new Superintendent is obsolete. We do not have unlimited funds. Why keep picking someone who will only work for the Ann Arbor School system for two, three , or four years; and then they move on to a bigger and better job. It is a racket. Each time we need a replacement Superintendent, I hear about needs of hiring a search team, and a higher salary. Why not offer our Superintendent a BONUS for each year they stay? It is elementary. We keep a qualified candidate and the qualified candidate has a stable job.
Moonmaiden
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
This is way too good of an idea - it will be ignored.
johnnya2
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
So lets sum up. A person who will be IN CHARGE of a budget north of $182 MILLION dollars, and they spent $30k to find the best candidate. Let's use your number of 4 years staying at AAPS. That works out to .004% of the budget per year. This forum is filled with morons who jump over dollars to save pennies. I see this every day with people who search for the lowest price and drive from place to place to save a dollar or two all the while not taking into account how much extra money they spend in gas, wear and tear on cars and time to save that money. Why dont you right wing nut jobs say what you really want. You want no educational system. Hell we can save some money, and get those damn kids to work. Why are they wasting all that time in school?
Mick52
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
What is appalling to me is the school board's quest to have the district regarded as worthy of nationwide attention. There are two ways to become worthy of attracting candidates from across the country. One, actually being that worthy. Two, pretend you are and buy it by spending money on an out of state head hunter that will tell you over and over you are so worthy and for an exorbitant fee will go out and find a candidate with magical powers that few candidate possess. And presto, soon your issues will be solved. I would recommend electing board members who are competent enough to do this type of thing. If you are going to pay an unGodly salary, you can simply put an add in Craigslist and get plenty of responses.
Macabre Sunset
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.
I wonder how much Willow Run would spend if it could reverse time and do due diligence with a certain former superintendent hiring.
Huron74
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.
Would our outcomes be any different if the supes came from within the AAPS bureaucracy instead of a protracted and expensive executive search process? Two big pluses: No expensive search firms, and there would be no learning curve about AA neighborhoods and stakeholders. Given how often AAPS people get lured away by other districts means that the talent is there. Worth a try IMO.
BhavanaJagat
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
I support the view shared by 'Local'. The School District is unwilling to learn and has openly displayed its lack of critical thinking abilities. The School District has failed to comprehend the reality of our present times. I admire Governor Rick Snyder's initiative to cut funds for Education. It is very reasonable and logical to cut funds as the Governor is not in a position to micromanage the way the District spends the funds. Fools should never be trusted with funds. To give less is a wise Choice.
Mick52
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
BJ, you are being too easy on them. Cross out "critical" from your second sentence and you are spot on.
cette
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 6:04 p.m.
The run for the school board and demonstrate your acumen
cette
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.
Robert Allen didn't want the job, and he's good at it. It's a hard job. Give the new super a chance..$30,000 isn't wild money either for a national search.
Stephen Landes
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 2:47 p.m.
Don't shoot the consultant for the stupidity of the School Board.
grye
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
What AAPS needs to do is start looking towards the future. They should be finding someone now who can be groomed for the position. Bring them in to learn how each department works. Find someone local who will want to stay and make AAPS a career, not a stepping stone. The current superintendent will probably last 3 to 5 years before she moves on. Groom the new person to be able to take over when the time come or maybe sooner.
johnnya2
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
It is natural and expected that people who are high quality want to move to new positions. If you are saying to settle for a person willing to be mediocore and never excel then we can have the same super for decades. I suppose in your business they hire only people from within for all positions because it is "cheaper". $30k is nothing in the overall realm of hiring what many would consider a pretty important position. As for whether a high school student knows who the super is, seems pretty stupid. I bet students at Huron dont know the names of all the teachers at Pioneer either. SO WHAT. I bet most do not know what the per pupil formula for funding is. I dont think that really matters.
genetracy
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
Why even have a search? There are plenty of viable armchair experts in the city limits of Ann Arbor.
CONCERNED CITIZEN
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
I agree with Nixon 41...no viable candidates in the Ann Arbor school system??????????? Very hard to believe! and if it is true, very sad!
DonBee
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 7:23 p.m.
There is no succession plan at all in AAPS. It is each person on their own. If someone gets hit by a car, there is no one ready (or close to ready) to step up. For an education institution this is very disappointing.
GoblueBeatOSU
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
Have money will spend. If money runs low just raise taxes. Got to love how government works.
Mick52
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
Northside, in my first career I saw this phenomenon rise and experienced it at least twice. Both times nothing but fluff and almost a guarantee that in no way will the best candidate be selected. At times when the administration conducted its own evaluations, the final decisions were appropriate and free of political correct thinking. I prefer leadership that can do the job and does not need to look elsewhere to find someone to do their job. Sometimes these companies create the need for themselves and convince organizations they can do it better. And it usually comes with a big price tag.
northside
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.
The use of a consultant to run a search is a practice that education has taken from the business world. So at least half of the cost of this search can be attributed to education trying to be more business-like. The business model doesn't always result in lower costs and higher efficiency.
clownfish
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.
Shelley Redinger spent an average of $8.92 on each meal in A2. A burger alone costs $10 around here. Maybe she should have been the hire!
clownfish
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.
What does it cost to find new employees in the private sector? <a href="http://cundariexecutivesearch.com/2011/01/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire/" rel='nofollow'>http://cundariexecutivesearch.com/2011/01/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire/</a> --- Average cost to hire and orient exempt employees is $11,000 – $22,000 - <a href="http://findersexecutivesearch.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://findersexecutivesearch.com/</a> -- "Search fees are typically 20% of the annual compensation of the recruited executive"- Wiki My question is : Why did the district use an out-of-state firm? Surely there is a competent MI recruiting firm that could have kept tax payer money in MI.
northside
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 5:27 p.m.
Yet again readers are left to do their own research and provide some real context for an article. This site continually confuses listing info from a FOIA request with actual journalism. And the line-by-line examination of school costs is downright obsessive.
grye
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.
At one time hiring a consultant was probably a great idea to help spread the word nationally that Ann Arbor was seeking a new school superintendent. However, there is something new out there called the internet. It allows anyone with a computer access to websites that help advertise open positions. Obviously our school board is somewhat technically challenged. Maybe they should toss their rotary phones and come to the 21st century. Or we need to gut the school board and find individuals who are fiscally responsible to save a few bucks here and there.
northside
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
It's not just the number of candidates, it's what the consulting firm is asked to do. Sometimes they just filter out applications where the candidate doesn't meet basic qualifications. Sometimes they're involved in everything from checking references to the final hiring decision.
Kyle Feldscher
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 7:24 p.m.
DonBee - Actually, Ray & Associates reported that 45 people applied for the job. Here's the link to the story when Pat Green was hired when I reported this. <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-school-board-selects-patricia-green-as-the-next-superintendent-of-ann-arbor-public-schools/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-school-board-selects-patricia-green-as-the-next-superintendent-of-ann-arbor-public-schools/</a>
DonBee
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
How hard was it to look at 14 and come down to 9? According to the consultant only 14 applied.
northside
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
It sounds like the consulting firm wasn't used to 'spread the word' but to review the applications, filter the candidate pool, and provide advice to the board.
Go Blue
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
Too bad there is no concern or even attempt at being conscientious when it comes to spending money. It is appalling that the attitude seems to be there is a bottomless pit of money to tap in to, especially when we are all facing cutbacks, lost revenues and the worst financial environment ever experienced since the depression. Wonder what it will take for the wake up call to have an impact? And insult to injury, given the economy of our state, an in state agency could not be used? Sounds like taking that route would have at least saved some revenue as well as helped the economy in Michigan. Wow, would someone step up and pay attention?
Lac Court Orilles
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 12:07 p.m.
Paying $30,000 for searching for superintendent candidates reeks of arrogance. Republican legislators will use search cost and eventual salary against the school system. Teacher candidates don't get their travel expenses paid for by the district, and they are MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than a superintendent. To judge the importance of a superintendent, take a survey of students and ask them who their superintendent is. I venture to say that less than 5% of students even at the high school level will be able to name their superintendent. Superintendents should not make more than what a teacher makes simply because they have an easier job than a classroom teacher does.
Mick52
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
I would hope that democratic legislatures will use it too. Wasting money should be opposed by both parties. This certainly is a waste.
ViSHa
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
i don't agree with the hiring costs & the raise for the superintendent, but do you even know what a superintendent does?? And way to slide that "repulblican" crack in there. i think you misspelled it though, isn't it "republiKan", lol.
nixon41
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 11:38 a.m.
Why not promote from within & save the money? It's stupid to go elsewhere & pay out the $$$$$.
northside
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 11:36 a.m.
Next from annarbor.com: an investigative report on how many squares of toilet paper public school employees use each year.
Carole
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 11:34 a.m.
Agree with local - Amen.
Will Warner
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 11:12 a.m.
$30K is a surprisingly small total. The fact that one interviewee charged only $35 for four meals suggests that the candidates were made to understand the importance of keeping costs down. Though I agree with A2comments that maybe the expense of renting interview space could have been avoided.
northside
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
Maybe she withdrew after seeing that the local paper obsessively examines every last expenditure in public education - even how much an interview candidate spends on breakfast.
DonBee
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 7:19 p.m.
And she was the one that withdrew. I wonder why? She took a lower salary.
local
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 11:01 a.m.
Well 30,000 for hiring process, an extra 65,000 in pay for her to become the new Super. 95,000 for new testing that Board member Andy Thomas loves, and 350,000 for Glenn Singleton and PESG to come to Ann Arbor and discuss diversity with our community. That seems like a lot of money that is going no where near the classroom. Does this trouble any one at all. Threatening to cut teachers, busing, and extra programs and then they spend money on things like this. WOW is all I can say.
A2comments
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 10:32 a.m.
No facilities in the entire school district in which to do the interviews? There are also less expensive hotels in A2 then the Campus Inn.