Ojai Valley News Blog

Replacement sought for superintendent who resigned effective July 1

By Linda Harmon
Tuesday night’s meeting of the Ojai Unified School District was short and without conflict as board members began the serious business of finding a replacement for superintendent Tim Baird. He tendered his resignation at the board’s meeting on May 5 and will be leaving the district July 1. Baird has taken a new position with the Encinitas Union School District after eight years in Ojai.

Besides wanting a candidate familiar with Ojai’s curriculum and classroom instruction and an educator with an administrative credential, board members added a few additional attributes to their wish list. 

“I have really appreciated having someone who has a doctorate, although if they don’t have one that’s not a deal breaker,” said Kathi Smith. “What I do want is someone who can understand our green school initiatives, someone who can advance them. I don’t want the person to be completely absorbed by the budget issues — I want to try to get a person who can keep their eye on the ball. The budget is not the ball, it’s the district.”

Board Member Steve Fields agreed, and added to Smith’s metaphor saying he wants someone who will “keep the ball moving down the field.” 

Board Member Pauline Mercado added that a successful candidate should be “a good communicator” and a listener who would have empathy with students, parents, and the board.

“We are a cohesive team,” said Mercado. She feels the new superintendent needs to be able to see how we fit in with the city “as a main partner in the valley” and also be “an advocate for children,  make them feel that they are included, which goes back to the issue of diversity.”

The lone speaker from the audience was Kristin Belshe. Belshe, a parent of a special needs child, said she would like the candidate to keep “an open door policy,” where people could drop in with their concerns. She also hoped that the new superintendent would “have a place in their heart for special needs children.”

Board President Linda Taylor announced another special board meeting May 26 to gather input from the public on filling the position as well as the upcoming budget.

At that meeting, the board will discuss the budget from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and then take input on the superintendent’s position. According to Taylor, the public is welcome to comment on the budget and “let the board know the qualities they want in a future superintendent.”

“We’ll also have an e-mail address where they can contact us to make comments if they can’t come to the meeting,” said Peggy Lynch of Leadership Associates, an executive research firm from Mission Viejo. They have been hired by the board to facilitate the process and research applicants. 

According to the firm’s web site, they have “assisted school boards in their selection of superintendents in over 170 California school districts and organizations since 1994.”

“Hiring a superintendent is the most important job of the board,” said Baird, “and that is why almost every district uses a search firm to assist in this process.” 

According to Baird, the board negotiated a $10,000 price from the firm for the search and added most searches range from $25,000 to $30,000. He added that the reduced fee reflects the district’s own increased role in gathering community and staff input. 

“Usually, this is a very extensive process that can take months,” said Baird. “The board felt that they could receive input directly and electronically and save some of these costs.”

The e-mail address Baird gave is Leadershipassociates

@cox.net. Any member of the public who wishes to comment can write the district there. Baird said to make sure to enter “Ojai Superintendent Search” in the subject line.

Lynch said she has already spoken to teachers and classified employees across the spectrum and “will be compiling a list of qualities and characteristics” desired for Baird’s permanent replacement. 

According to Baird, Leadership Associates will continue to gather information and then conduct the search and advertising campaign.

“Because they are one of the most successful firms doing this type of work,” said Baird, “they have contacts all over the state that help provide possible candidates. They will assist the board in narrowing down the applicants to an interview pool. They will structure the interviews, help with background checks, and help write and negotiate the contract.”  

OUSD will be accepting applications until June 15 and will conduct interviews on July 11. 

The board also announced it has elected to find an interim superintendent because of the short time available before Baird’s departure and will announce the appointment at the May 26 meeting, in addition to taking public comments on the qualifications for a permanent superintendent.