PISD board set to interview superintendent candidates this week

Posted on Jan 13, 2013 in Paris ISD by Jeff Parish

And then there were five.

Paris Independent School District trustees have winnowed a field of about 40 superintendent candidates down to their final five, who are scheduled for interviews this week.

“It was pretty difficult,” board President George Fisher said. “We spent a lot of time getting there. I know I spent 20 hours looking over the material.”

Fisher doesn’t expect this week’s series of meetings to go any easier. They’re scheduled for sessions at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday for “board interview and discussion of superintendent applicants,” according to the agendas. A third meeting is set for noon Friday for “discussion of superintendent applicants.”

Follow-up interviews are expected in early February, with a vote to name the finalist scheduled for Feb. 11.

The board narrowed its list at a closed meeting Jan. 9 that lasted more than three hours. Curtains were drawn and the glass doors blacked out, presumably for extra privacy, although Fisher said “they were like that when I got there,” and he did not know why the steps were taken.

Each board member had a list of his or her favorite six candidates, which were put on a board and discussed until an overall list of five emerged.

“Their qualifications look good,” Fisher said. “The way they interview will probably carry a lot of weight.”

The school board has hired consulting firm Executive Search Services, part of the Texas Association of School Boards, to help with the search process for a new superintendent. Paul Trull is set to retire this summer.

“I think the consultants are doing a great job,” Fisher said.
Before the interview meetings, the board has its regular session at 5:30 p.m. Monday. The agenda can be found here.