Schools’ chief list trimmed to five

Terry Webster

Thursday, Oct. 7, 1999 | 12:11 p.m.

Five -- the number of candidates the Clark County School Board will consider for the superintendent's position -- was the easiest figure the board decided upon during a special meeting Wednesday.

Names of candidates are expected to be announced by Nov. 9, followed by semifinalist interviews on Nov. 15, 16 and 17. The finalists will be interviewed on Dec. 1, 2 and 3, with the preferred superintendent being announced on Dec. 3.

Clark County Schools is seeking a superintendent to replace Brian Cram, who retires in July.

The big number, how much Cram's successor will be paid, was not determined Wednesday, but the board is expected to set a range during its Oct. 14 meeting. The matter was referred back to a consultant for further study.

According to district figures, Cram's base salary is $158,000. Adding in the 16 benefits he receives boosts the entire compensation package up by $83,029,72, making its full value $241,029.72.

Numbers being tossed around for the proposed base salary for the new superintendent ranged from the current $158,000 up to $260,000.

During discussion, which included a telephone conference with consultant William Attea of the Chicago-area firm Hazard, Young Attea and Associates, Ltd., there was confusion about whether references were being made about base salary or the entire compensation package. The board voted down a proposal by board member Sheila Moulton to offer the new superintendent an increase of 10 to 15 percent over the current base salary, plus an additional 10 to 15 percent in performance bonuses.

Terry Wright, an insurance executive and superintendent's search committee member, told the board they are aiming too low. He suggested a base salary of $220,000 to $260,000.

Wright said it will take an impressive package to lure someone to a rapidly growing district facing many complex issues such as school construction.

The search committee is basing its recommendation, in part, on superintendent salaries at the country's top 10 largest school districts, a list that ranks Clark County as eighth. Board member Larry Mason also opposed paying at or near the current base salary.

"We are not going to get anyone for that," Mason said.

Ruth Johnson, board president, said she sees no advantage in announcing pay range.

"Then, we immediately start negotiating at the higher end of that scale," she said.

Johnson also said following the meeting that the board would consider candidates outside of the education arena for the superintendent's post.

The board also expects candidates from within in the district to express an interest in the position.

Another debate centered on eye-popping advertising rates ranging from $700 to $6,700 for ads in publications like Education Week, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal. The cost of advertising in all of them was estimated at about $19,000.

The board scaled the advertising budget down to the $12,000 to $15,000 range and agreed to have Attea decide on placement of the ads.

The publication most likely to produce candidates, according to Attea, is Education Week at a cost of $686 for one issue.