Firm meets with public
Consultants ask for input on filling job
By Lori Mellinger editor@bullardnews.com

The excitement is evident in Jenny Preston's voice.

Preston, a part of the consulting firm hired by the Bullard school board to conduct a search for a new superintendent, spoke to the Bullard Banner News on Monday of her plans for the evening - presenting a complete analysis of last week's meetings.

The meetings excluded school board members and instead invited teachers, administrators and staff to one and the public to another.

About 14 people came to the community meeting, and Preston said there were about two-three representatives from each campus at the earlier meeting.

"Bullard is one of the most prime districts in the state," she said. "And after listening to the excitement and investment of the members of the community, I believe all of the elements are in place to hire a great superintendent for this community."

While the ultimate decision lies with the board, Preston and her husband James are doing the legwork.

"Tonight we'll give the results of the information provided from the meetings, and then we'll go into executive session to give the board a list of candidates thus far.

Preston presented 19 characteristics and three open-ended questions to those in attendance.

"We asked everyone to rank the characteristics by order of importance to them," she said. "That's been compiled and ready for presentation."

She said her goal in the open-ended questions was to look for "common threads."

"We know the board is anxious to hear the results," Preston said. "The board will use the observations and suggestions to finalize the profile for an ultimate decision," she said.

After her presentation, Preston said the board would go into executive session to finalize specifications for the position and beginning sending out applications to those interested.

And that pool seems to be growing, too.

"This morning we had a total of 45 who had requested applications," she said. "I expect to have more by this evening."

As of the strict June timeline the board wants to use for having someone hired, Preston said none of the candidates she's spoken to has a problem with it.

Tonight's meeting will be the fourth in five weeks for the board.

And trustees are excited, too.

"The real key to this process is an understanding the district and its constituents," trustee Sam Smith said. "And I think this group does."

Smith echoed Preston's view of Bullard's attractiveness.

"We have seen the growth of Lindale and Whitehouse districts - and the pitfalls," he said. "And we know how to avoid them by working with the rest of Bullard - including the city - to keep the growth good.

Smith said current superintendent Jim Wright is leaving the district in good shape, and the expectations for a new superintendent will be high.

"A superintendent's job is one of the most difficult," Smith said. "You aren't always making people happy. But Jim took this district to where it is today from a difficult situation.

"We expect the same investment to the community, and someone who can build on what Jim established," he said.

When Wright announced his retirement, the board wasted no time in beginning the search for his replacement.

At the second meeting, the board hired consulting firm of Horn, Smith, Wood and Preston.

But her husband and colleague James said it's also important that while a timeline be kept, the process not be rushed.

"We want a good pool of candidates," he said. The two also said that while they would be weeding out those who wouldn't fit or weren't qualified, "no one is a finalist until you say so."

As it stands, the board is looking at Friday as the last day to accept applications.

The firm will then present the candidates to the board on May 6 - leaving May 12-23 to interview them.

If all goes as planned, the new superintendent will be announced on June 17 and begin work on July 1.

"We're very pleased to have the aid of these consultants give us the caliber of superintendent we need in the absence of Jim," Smith said. "They have a great skill set and only one client right now - us.

"So they are completely focused on helping us find the right person to fit our high expectations."