EVERETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Everett, Washington
Special Board Meeting
The Board of Directors of Everett School District No. 2, Snohomish County, Washington, held a special Board meeting on Thursday, March 5, 2009, at 6:30 p.m., in the Board Room of the Educational Service Center, 4730 Colby Avenue, Everett, Washington. Board members in attendance were Carol Andrews, Sue Cooper, Kristie Dutton, Karen Madsen and Ed Petersen.
BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
The purpose of the special meeting was to discuss and possibly take action on the selection of the superintendent, and, if appropriate, discuss and possibly take action on the process for negotiating a contract with the superintendent.
President Cooper called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and began by saying that the Board has been working very hard since October to proceed through an all-encompassing process for finding a new superintendent for Everett Public Schools. The Board chose to conduct the process themselves because they have had success with it in the past, the belief was that they would get a stronger pool of applicants; there would be a cost savings to doing it themselves; and it would be easier in terms of scheduling to not have a third party involved. The Board then drafted criteria for the new superintendent, took it out to the community and staff (via meetings and written requests for input). They refined the criteria reflecting the input received and then developed the brochure. They advertised via a variety of methods, both nationally and locally. They extended the application deadline because of a snafu with getting some of the advertising placed. Twenty applications were received: 9 in-state and 11 out-of-state. The Board also invited some candidates to apply. The Board met for many hours on a number of occasions to carefully evaluate the materials and, indeed, a superb pool of candidates applied.
Board member Madsen thanked all who helped with this process, especially Mary Waggoner and Molly Ringo, both of whom lent their considerable expertise to the process. It is talent such as theirs and so many others that caused many bright, capable candidates to want to apply. President Cooper said there are many who want to work in Everett Public Schools. The Board spoke with a number of the applicants and checked references extensively.
President Cooper extended her heartfelt thanks to Karst who has done, and is doing, an outstanding job as the interim superintendent during this time of transition.
Board member Madsen said that the Board spoke with several outstanding candidates. The person who rose to the top is local, familiar with Washington state, has a very strong background across a wide range of experiences in the education world over a number of years and is currently a sitting superintendent. He is Dr. Gary Cohn, superintendent of the Port Angeles School District. He is known to be a collaborative, teambuilding education expert. He is also known to be very bright and
hard-driving. He attracted just the right number of negative comments to suggest that he doesn’t just let things go along. In Ms. Madsen’s experience, those who work hard and have high expectations attract some criticism. Dr. Cohn never expects anything of others that he does not expect of himself. He would be a good fit with a hard-driving focused team.
With that, Karen Madsen nominated Dr. Gary Cohn to be the next superintendent of Everett Public Schools. Carol Andrews seconded the nomination.
Board member Dutton said it was delightful to be able to talk to so many superb candidates who are so dedicated to education. Dr. Cohn, however, came in and “blew our socks off.” His qualifications match almost identically with the criteria in the application. He will challenge the Board to be
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING 3-5-09 Page 2
students of education and to work hard to improve their performance. Ms. Dutton concurred with the recommendation to appoint Dr. Cohn.
Board member Andrews said Dr. Cohn has good experience in fiscal management. He has led the Port Angeles School District through times of declining enrollment and has had to close schools, but he was able to do it with a lot of community support and consensus building. During this time of economic stress, this experience will serve the District well. Dr. Cohn has high integrity, a strong educational background and will make a long-term commitment to Everett.
Board member Petersen said he has been impressed with the entire process. The Board has had extensive conversations over many hours. All five of the Board members have spent all of those hours together working through the process as a team. The Board spoke with over 30 people from other districts to ensure they had “covered the waterfront” in terms of gathering as many facts about the candidates as possible. In terms of diversity, Dr. Cohn has done impressive work with the Native American community. He also has training in marketing, worked in a vocational/technical system, has been a chief financial officer and got results everywhere he has been. Dr. Cohn is a good match for Everett. Mr. Petersen supported the motion.
President Cooper said she, too, supported the motion. Dr. Cohn models continuous improvement. He is a collaborative leader, a teambuilder, has a passion for education and believes it is imperative to educate each child. When asked a hypothetical question about how he would transition to the Everett position, he said he would listen and learn about the culture and communities of Everett Public Schools. He would not be coming in to alter direction or make any sweeping changes.
Board member Madsen said this has been an agonizing decision. The Board values the work of every person in the District and sincerely wants to find a person who will be a good fit for the District.
With no further discussion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Gary Cohn as the next superintendent of Everett Public Schools.
President Cooper said she will speak to Dr. Cohn and Karst about a transition. The Board will work to have the Leadership Team, staff and the community get to know the new superintendent.
Kristie Dutton nominated President Cooper and Board member Petersen to negotiate an employment with Dr. Cohn. Karen Madsen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Board member Petersen said staff members have created a positive environment for the Board to do the work of finding a new superintendent. He commended Karst for having done a phenomenal job and offering great support to the Board. He has done the things the Board asked of him.
President Cooper adjourned the special meeting at 7 p.m.
____________________________ ___________________________
Karst Brandsma, Secretary Sue Cooper, President
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