Rundle replacement sought

The search for a new superintendent is under way at Royal Valley, as members of the school board agreed on a timeline to accept applications and schedule potential candidate interviews during their meeting Monday.

After accepting the retirement notice from current Superintendent John Rundle last month, the board approved an agreement with the Kansas Association of School Boards to conduct the search for a new superintendent. Rundle’s last day in the district is July 31. 

Randy Weseman, Kansas Association of School Boards assistant executive director, met with the board for 45 minutes to outline the process for hiring a new superintendent for the district. 

“I think what’s most interesting for your board is that you haven’t been through the superintendent hiring process in more than 20 years,” Weseman said. “So I’m sure you are going to have some questions.”

Rundle has served as the superintendent for 15 years and was working for the district when he was promoted. He replaced Marceta Reilly, who served as the superintendent for eight years. 

Prior to Reilly, Sam Ulsaker served as superintendent during the 1992-1993 school year. Before Ulsaker, Fred Staker was the superintendent for many years.  

“Nationally, superintendents turn over every two and a half years,” Weseman said. “So the fact that you’ve had this type of consistency is pretty remarkable.”

Weseman presented a timeline for the hiring process that included a March 25 deadline for applications to be submitted to KASB. 

“We’ve already received an above average number of applicants for this job,” he said. “But we haven’t vetted them yet.”

In the next several weeks, Weseman will meet with staff, administrators and patrons to discuss the kinds of characteristics and qualities they want in a superintendent in order to create a rubric to evaluate applicants. 

Once all applications are received, Weseman and several other members of a KASB screening committee will review them and determine the top five candidates, which will be presented to the board in executive session at their March 28 meeting. 

“Then you will select three or four to interview,” he said. 

After some discussion about spring break and Easter holidays, board members agreed to schedule potential candidates interviews for Wednesday and Thursday, March 30 and 31, as well as Monday and Tuesday, April 3 and April 4. The board also discussed conducting an interview on Friday, April 1. 

Weseman said that superintendent candidates will be given a tour of the district during school hours by an administrator or staff member.

After a light dinner, the candidate will then be interviewed in the evening by just the board for about two hours. 

“You want to have about 20 to 25 questions ready to ask them,” Weseman said, noting that KASB provides sample questions. “The reputation of your district and school board is solid, and I feel good about your ability to attract some great candidates.”  

Also during the meeting, the board approved the purchase of new lighting for the high school gymnasium at a total cost of $21,379.60. The lighting will be purchased from Kriz-Davis Co. of Topeka. 

“This will bring the high school gym to the same level as elementary gymnasium,” Rundle said.

Russell Pugh, district maintenance supervisor, will install the lights, which will require the district to rent a lift for three weeks. 

In other business, the board:

* Approved consent items.

* Received a legislative update from Rundle, who reported that the Kansas Senate has agreed to delay $100 million in KPERS payments (the state pension plan) to fund public education this year and to pay it back in September at eight percent interest. 

* Received a list of employees and the number of years they have served the district. The board discussed options to recognize staff members who have reached milestone years of service. 

* Heard an update from Rundle on Impact Aid funding. 

* Approved bid specifications for a seven-passenger van submitted by Jeff Gustin, transportation coordinator. Bids are due March 2. 

* Approved KASB recommended board policy updates as presented.

* Accepted the resignation of Nancy Bailey as the head secretary for the elementary school effective July 1 and the resignation of C.L. Burger as a bus driver effective immediately. 

* Met in executive session for 10 minutes to discuss teacher salary negotiations and non-elected personnel with Rundle and Pfrang. Travis Van Vleck, RVHS assistant principal, was also included in a portion of the closed meeting.

No action was taken back in open session.

* Adjourned the meeting. Board member Linda Hegemann was absent.