By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Hoisington school district publicly announced Superintendent Patrick Crowdis’ resignation this past March and that the search of a new superintendent was underway. The Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) was hired by USD 431 to assist with finding candidates and the hiring process.
KASB Field Specialist Gary Sechrist visited with the Hoisington school board Monday outlining feedback from faculty and staff and what they deem as important characteristics of a superintendent.
"The teaching staff noted they would really like to have their teacher aides and paras have a fair wage so they can draw the best and keep them in the job," said Sechrist. "They want that rather than them quitting to go work at Dairy Queen because they can work 12 months out of the year as opposed to 10 months. So that was good to hear certified staff go to bat for the classified. I also know that the school board is not in charge of para salaries because of the co-op. "
Focus groups polled noted an effective communicator and someone involved in the community as significant traits.
With the application deadline past, Sechrist will begin narrowing down candidates and present finalists to the school board on Monday, April 14. The school district has interviews and tours set up for the finalists on Tuesday, April 15 and Wednesday, April 16.
"If you haven't thought about a salary range, what has happened in the past is boards get really excited and they offer more than they ever imagined they would. They kind of have buyer's remorse. If you thought about it before, you would have had time to think about it and make the offer you were comfortable with."
Sechrist said out of 286 school districts in Kansas, Hoisington ranks 115th in enrollment size. The current superintendent salary ranks 162nd in the state.
A “meet and greet” is scheduled for the public to interact with the superintendent finalists on Tuesday, April 15 and Wednesday, April 16 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hoisington High School commons area.
Crowdis resigned after five years with USD 431 to accept a position with the Dodge City school district.