Greater Latrobe hires consultant for superintendent search

In a less-than-unanimous decision, the Greater Latrobe School District will spend money to hire a consultant to conduct its search for a new superintendent.

The school board this weekvoted 5-2 to hire Templeton Advantage of Newport, Perry County, to search for candidates to succeed Judith Swigart, who is set to retire on July 31.

The district also is bidding farewell to 10 instructors who opted to take an early retirement incentive at the end of the school year.

The district will pay Templeton $13,500 to conduct the superintendent search and provide transition assistance. The firm can charge up to $1,500 for travel expenses and other costs.

Board members Heidi Kozar and William Palmer voted against using the firm. Eric Hauser and Conrad Lazor were absent from the meeting.

Kozar said she doesn’t believe a consultant is necessary.

“We have good candidates in the district,” she said.

The firm indicated it intends to meet with district officials to develop a timeline for the search and to discuss proposed steps: Identifying expected competencies and leadership experience for the new superintendent, placing advertisements throughout the state and beyond; conducting focus group discussions with stakeholders; working with the school board to select candidates to interview; checking candidate references; making a final selection and assisting with contract negotiations.

It said it also will set up an entry plan process for the new superintendent and will keep in touch with the school board to ensure a “smooth transition for the first year.”

In the proposal, company founder Tom Templeton said he has conducted more than 100 administrative searches in the state over the past 16 years. School districts he has assisted include New Kensington-Arnold, Allegheny Valley, Avonworth, Fox Chapel Area, Moon Area, Elizabeth Forward and South Allegheny.

He’s had past roles with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, as assistant executive director for school board and management services and in school personnel services positions. Previously, he was a staff assistant for former Rep. George W. Gekas and he served on term on the Newport School Board.

Swigart, a 1975 graduate of neighboring Derry Area High School, became Greater Latrobe’s first female superintendent when she was hired in September 2008. During her tenure, the district has completed several major facility updates — the most recent being the new $24.8 million Latrobe Elementary School, which opened in early December.

The school board approved early retirements for the following instructors: Susan Gaffney, Karen Hewitt, Karen LaPresti and Thomas Turnbull Jr. — elementary; Rita Feals and Thomas Milchick — music; Kathy Ferlin — Title I, literacy coordinator; Lillian Graber — library science; Lydia Mack — art, teacher leader; and Therese Williams — physical education, junior high track coach.

Under its early retirement incentive, the district covers medical premiums for up to eight years or until the retiree becomes eligible for Medicare, whichever is earlier.

The departing teachers have completed more than 240 years of service to the district, according to Swigart.

“Clearly, much is lost when people retire,” she said.

Next month, the school board will combine its committee-of-the-whole and voting meetings into one session, at 7:30 p.m. May 14. The planned May 21 voting meeting would conflicted with Pennsylvania’s primary election.