Durham Public Schools interviewed three finalist firms. Alma, BWP, and NCSBA, to lead the superintendent search, with costs ranging from $21,500 to $40,000 and differing approaches to diversity and candidate screening.
Three finalist firms quoted costs from $21,500 (NCSBA) to $40,000 (BWP), with NCSBA offering no screening but lower cost, while Alma and BWP provide candidate vetting and emphasize diverse placement records.
BWP highlighted placing 11 of 12 recent Southeast superintendents from underrepresented groups and requires equity commitment; Alma uses anti-bias training; NCSBA defers screening to the board.
The board votes tomorrow on a firm; all three flagged pressure to complete the search before new board members arrive in July and a July 1 superintendent start date.