Kiski Area hires firm to conduct search for new superintendent

Editor’s note: The original version of this story attributed board member Ron Coleman to a different person.

A Kiski Area School Board member who opposed hiring a search agency to help the district find a new superintendent said he thinks the district’s top administrative job should go to an internal candidate.

“I would really hate to go elsewhere when someone is more than qualified,” said board member Harlan “Chip” Jervis. “To alienate somebody that’s been here (in the district) for years or even close in our area, surely there has to be somebody more than qualified for the superintendent position.”

The school board voted 7-1 this week to pay Perry County-­based Templeton Advantage $13,500 to conduct the search for a replacement for Superintendent Timothy Scott, who announced his retirement in March. Scott, 58, has not released a timetable for his departure from the district of about 3,500 students.

Michelle Schmidt also commented on the superintendent search during a meeting.

“We do have a few people in our district with superintendent papers. They are obviously free to apply for the position,” Schmidt said. “I think we would be doing our district a disservice, not against anyone who has those papers, but to not at least open it up and see what’s out there, because it takes a lot of experience. This is a big task for us.”

Board member Ron Coleman said he was in favor of using an outside search firm.

“A formal vetting process feels more responsible to me and to the citizens, administrators and teachers of the district,” he said. “It feels more professional and I think a better result.”

Tom Templeton, founder and creative director of Templeton Advantage, said his fee covers the search, post-hiring follow-up and support.

Templeton has conducted superintendent searches for other Pittsburgh-area districts and for a new executive director for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

“I’m thrilled to work with every member of the Kiski Area board and the entire school community,” Templeton said, predicting that the district would have a “substantial candidate pool” because it has a good reputation.

He said the search should take about three months. It will begin May 1.

Scott’s salary for the 2021-22 school year is $170,465.

As for what his firm will be looking for in Scott’s replacement, Templeton said, “You’re looking for a leader who has the ability to communicate effectively with staff, families and community and has a strong knowledge base of what it takes to educate today’s students with an emphasis on technology and sound teaching practices and a strong curriculum.”