Schools Renew Hunt for Leader: Horry County Board Meets Today to Discuss Firms Vying to Lead Search
By Jessica Foster, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Aug. 6–The Horry County school board will get a fresh start on its search for a new superintendent today when it considers firms and consultants to help with the search.
It will be the second search the board has conducted to find a replacement for longtime superintendent Gerrita Postlewait, who resigned in July 2006.
The first search left the board empty handed when none of the three finalists could garner a majority of the board’s support, leaving students in Horry County without a permanent superintendent for a second school year.
Choosing a search firm is the first step in the renewed search process, which board members want to start earlier in the year than their last search that began in November 2006. The board will get information today about 19 firms and consultants from Kenneth Childs, a Columbia-based lawyer who practices education law.
Though board members got the list days in advance, several of them said there weren’t any that stood out on the list.
They’ll likely solicit proposals from the firms and gather information before making a decision. Board member Harvey Eisner hopes the board is prepared to pick a group at its Aug. 20 meeting, he said.
Several board members say it’s time to get the ball rolling on the search. No timeline has been established, but the goal is to have a new superintendent in place by July 1, 2008, board members have said.
“I’m definitely in favor of starting right way,” Eisner said.
Interim superintendent Bobby Nalley is filling in until the board hires a new superintendent.
The school board will also discuss whether to offer new Bible courses in light of a recent law enabling school districts to offer elective courses teaching the history and literature of the Old and New Testaments.
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If you go The Horry County school board meets today.
When — 6 p.m.
Where — The school district office, 1605 Horry St., Conway
Inside
Timeline of events — Page 7C
July 31, 2006 — Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait resigns after 10 years on the job
Oct. 16, 2006 — The Horry County School Board picks the S.C. School Boards Association to conduct the search for a new superintendent.
November 2006 — The superintendent search begins. The association recruits, advertises and accepts applications.
February-March — The association holds focus groups to determine what community members want in a new superintendent.
March 15 — Deadline for applications. The board received about 51.
April 10 — The school board picks eight candidates for interviews with the full board.
April 27 — The board names three finalists: Dana Bedden, superintendent of the William Penn School District in Lansdowne, Pa.; William Gummerson, superintendent of Lexington District 3 schools; and Rick Maxey, executive director of secondary schools in Horry County.
Early May — Board members visit the final candidates’ home school districts.
May 14 — Candidates come to the area to meet with community groups and the board for final interviews.
May 15 — The school board decides to start the search over.
Contact JESSICA FOSTER at 626-0351 or jfoster@thesunnews.com.
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