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Lincolnwood District 74 hires superintendent search firm
Updated: September 10, 2012 1:24PM
LINCOLNWOOD — Lincolnwood School District 74 has taken the first step toward finding its next top administrator by appointing a national search firm with close ties to the district.
BWP & Associates, a consultant group headquartered in Libertyville, is expected to assist with the recruitment and hire of a permanent superintendent over the next four to six months.
The School Board approved a proposal for $13,900 plus additional expenses from BWP following presentations by six firms on Aug. 2.
Board members emphasized the need for community and stakeholder input, online surveys and access to candidate profiles, services included in the firms’ proposals.
Cost became the driving force behind the decision, officials acknowledged, since the process for candidate recruitment is virtually the same across the board.
“It’s really the (School Board) that is going to push this whole process,” board member John Vranas said.
Search firm bids ranged between about $11,000 and $18,000. With the exception of a firm located in Iowa, all are based in Illinois.
Other nuances — location, experience with the district, focus on children, and presence of the search team members — ultimately resulted in the board agreeing to contract with BWP.
“It’s a good choice,” she said. “They’re familiar with school and area, the price is right, and I’m impressed with selection search commitments in other districts,” said board member Georjean Hlepas Nickell.
Two of the three BWP representatives assigned to the District 74 search team previously worked in Lincolnwood.
Mark Friedman was District 74’s assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and personnel between 1986 and 1992. He also worked in Chicago, Itasca, Libertyville and Winnetka school districts.
Bruce Brown served as principal of Lincoln Hall Middle School from 1998 to 2000, in addition to other administrative positions in Chicago, Schaumburg, Glenview and Mount Prospect.
“It is not uncommon for there to be relationships between and among professionals on many different levels,” said Interim Superintendent Ken Cull, who before the meeting stated his personal connections to each of the presenting organizations.
“It is a small community,” Vransas said. “You have to recognize that.”
The School Board approved the proposal 4-1.
Members David Koder and Michael Davros were absent.
