After months of advertisements, consultants, and interviews with candidates from around the country, Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts narrowed his selection for new deputy superintendent and human resources director to one each.
Anonymous callers say the finalists are local hires, but administration will not confirm or deny, saying it’s too early in the process.
“These individuals have a right to privacy,” said Anita Banach.
Banach acknowledged she interviewed for the human resources position, but doesn’t know if she’s a finalist, she said.
“I have a background in school law and have worked on personnel issues for many years,” Banach said. “In my previous district I was involved in recruiting, hiring and negotiations.”
Roberts did not return a phone message or email for comment.
Personnel-hiring consultants Hazard, Young, and Attea conducted interviews at a contracted cost of about $18,500. More than 200 candidates applied, some for both positions, Banach said.
Dawn Schaller of Independence Township, school parent, examined job-description profiles used in the applicant search.
“I was appalled at the lack of professionalism of the job postings,” Schaller said. “Surprisingly, neither job posting shows that the candidates required a college education or even past experience in the field.”
Profile for director of human resources includes dozens of items such as “compassionate but firm,” “non-adversarial,” “can make employees feel important and valued,” and “must like doing ‘the stuff”like insurance, other detail-oriented matters.”
Hazard, Young, and Attea’s profile for deputy/assistant superintendent for instruction includes “has both the ‘big picture’ for the school district as well as the pieces of the puzzle for the ‘small picture,'” “has a sense of humor,” and “can get up to speed quickly.”
It does not list a degree requirement, but lists “has strong background in K-12 curriculum.”
“Of the 53 requirements listed for the deputy superintendent position and 43 for the human resources director, a large percentage were personality traits rather than job qualifications,” Schaller said.
“If you ‘want to be in Clarkston,’ are ‘comfortable using data,’ ‘a people person,’ and ‘have a sense of humor,’ you might be right for the job of deputy superintendent ? if you can ‘serve as a cheerleader for the district,’ then you may be right for the HR director position.”
Deputy Superintendent David Reschke and Human Resources Director Linda Nester officially retired last year, but remained in position this school year as contract employees.
Administration’s goal is to have replacements hired and ready to begin by July 1, to provide time for cross-training and quality transition, Banach said.
Clarkston Board of Education will vote to approve the hires, probably at its April 19 meeting.
Schaller recently requested an estimated 12,000 pages of school budget and spending information under the Freedom of Information Act. She and administrators arranged an hour-long session at district administration during which she and other volunteers can review documents, set for Wednesday, March 31.
Check next week’s edition for her results.