The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education on Friday afternoon reviewed responses to a request for proposals for a search firm for a new superintendent of schools.
The board, in a Zoom meeting at 4 p.m., decided to interview potential search firms on Thursday and Friday of next week.
The district received three proposals, according to Randy Lopez, board president.
The board also discussed what it would look for in a candidate, with some board members saying they would like to see a search firm from Kansas or Missouri.
Board member Stacy Yeager said she would like the search firm to be a firm run by minorities. If the firm is not from this area, it will not be received as well by the local community, she said.
Lopez said whether the company is minority owned or not, it appears that diversity is one of the board’s priorities, and the company should prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in their work. It is also important that there is a good fit with the community.
Yeager was concerned that they not set anyone up for failure, if the community is not accepting of firms that are not from Kansas or Missouri.
Board member Janey Humphries said all three firms seemed to be qualified, and she wanted to hear all their presentations and ask questions.
Each of the proposals has a way that the community may comment included in their proposal, according to board members.