The Perrysburg Exempted Village Board of Education discussed and agreed on a timeline to hire a firm to run the districts superintendent search, with a special meeting proposed for Nov. 10 or Nov. 13 for presentations and a decision targeted during the boards regular November meeting.

Dr. Anstead, who presented the search-process overview, told the board that three Ohio-based search providers typically used in the state are Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), Finding Leaders and K12 Business Consulting, and recommended requesting qualifications from each. "Fit will be important for that firm," Dr. Anstead said, adding the firms typically conduct community surveys and help the board define candidate criteria.

The board discussed logistics and timing: staff and the presenter recommended selecting and approving a firm in November so a search can start in January without delay. Dr. Anstead said firms can begin community engagement in December and continue into January; the boards working timeline calls for the firm to run community input and compile candidate criteria before candidate recruitment begins. Board members emphasized that the board, not the community, makes the final hiring decision for superintendent; Dr. Anstead reiterated, "The community gives input, but it's the board that makes the decision on the superintendent."

Board members agreed to ask for RFQs/RFPs from the three firms, invite them to present (by Zoom or in person) at a special public meeting on Nov. 10 or Nov. 13, and then discuss and select a firm at the regular November meeting (noted as Nov. 24 in the discussion) with contract approval to follow in a subsequent work session if needed. The board also discussed logistics for the special meeting: 45 minutes per firm, evening start to maximize community access, whether to video- or audio-record the presentations (board staff recommended audio to simplify recording), and whether newly elected board members attending as observers should be allowed to ask questions. Board members did not commit to a formal selection at the special meeting; multiple participants noted the special meeting would be informational and that any final action would occur at the regular meeting.

On cost, Dr. Anstead said OSBA is likely the least expensive option and estimated a typical fee range of about $12,000 to $15,000 depending on the level of community engagement requested. She also described the practical benefits of the search firms' networks: beyond posting the vacancy, firms often use personal outreach to recruit candidates and screen applicants.

The board clarified the order of operations for hiring a firm: (1) solicit RFQs/RFPs from the three firms, (2) hold a public special meeting in November for firm presentations with no hiring vote that night, (3) use the regular November meeting to select a firm and (4) finalize and approve the contract in a subsequent work session if necessary. Several board members stressed transparency: the presentations should be public, and the district will post materials to the meeting agenda so the community can review them afterward.

No formal motion to hire a firm was made or voted on at this meeting. The board did approve the meeting agenda at the start of the session.