Committee selects firm to help ID next leader for Wake schools

The superintendent search committee of the Wake County Board of Education has named a search firm to help identify the next leader for the school district.

The committee voted late Monday to recommend that the board hire Heidrick & Struggles, an international executive search firm based in Chicago. The decision to hire the firm, at an estimated $82,500 plus expenses, will go before the whole board next Tuesday.

Debra Goldman, vice-chairwoman of the school board, leads the committee of four charged with finding outgoing Superintendent Del Burns' replacement.

Burns announced in February his decision to resign June 30, and he was later placed on administrative leave after he publicly accused some board members of "political partisan gamesmanship" when it comes to educating students.

Donna Hargens, the system's chief academic officer, is serving as interim superintendent.

Chris Malone, Carolyn Morrison and Deborah Prickett are the other members of the search committee.

The state Department of Public Instruction sets minimum requirements for superintendents.

Candidates must have a valid standard professional license, have worked a minimum of one year (or the equivalent) as a principal, have a graduate degree in school administration and meet required scores on the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Assessment test.

As an alternative, candidates can have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and five years leadership or managerial experience considered relevant by the local board of education.