NEPN/NSBA Code:  GCFB-R

RECRUITING AND HIRING OF ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF PROCEDURES 

These procedures implement School Committee policy GCFB and are designed to establish a thorough, efficient, and nondiscriminatory practice for the recruiting and hiring of the most qualified candidates for administrative positions. 

A.  Job Description Development/Review 

To ensure that a written role description of the vacant position accurately represents the current functions and needs, the Superintendent/designee (the School Committee in a Superintendent search) is to: 

1.  Conduct a review of the job description, with input from persons affected by the position; 

2.   Include the criteria (skills, knowledge, abilities) required to perform the duties/responsibilities of the position; and 

3.  List the minimum qualifications (training, education, and experience) for the position. 

B.  Recruitment 

To attract a strong pool of qualified candidates, the Superintendent/designee is to advertise (except in the circumstances described in K below) by: 

1.  Posting notice of the vacancy within the unit;

2.  Placing an advertisement in appropriate print media or internet-based job posting site; and 

3. Identifying and notifying other possible sources of potential candidates, such as professional associations, educational administration programs, and placement offices at colleges and universities in Maine and other states, and the Maine  Department of Education. 

C. Screening 

To ensure that a fair and efficient screening process will occur, the Superintendent/designee is to:

1. Ensure that all applications are reviewed by more than one individual with attention given to unbiased regard for the criteria and

qualifications in the job description; 

2. Appoint a screening panel with representation as deemed appropriate to the particular vacancy; 

3. Provide orientation on confidentiality and equity issues to screeners; 

4. Eliminate all candidates who do not meet the minimum qualifications; 

5. Conduct preliminary reference checks, as appropriate; 

6. Select candidates for interview based on the degree to which they meet the criteria and demonstrate the skills, knowledge and abilities outlined in the job description; and 

7. Notify applicants not selected for interview.

D.  Interviewing 

To ensure that the interview process will be conducted in a legal and proper manner, the Superintendent/designee is to: 

1. 1.  Appoint an interview panel (may be the same persons who serve the screening function) with representation as deemed appropriate to the particular vacancy; 

   2.  Provide orientation on the process including the function and extent of responsibility of the panel, the weighting of criteria, and the nomination/hiring procedure; and 

   3. Conduct training to ensure that panel members are aware of the legal aspects of interviewing, including confidentiality and

equity issues. 

The interviewing panel is to: 

1.  Design interview questions which match the criteria and the duties/responsibilities outlined in the job description; and

2.  Provide equal opportunity for the candidates to respond to the same questions/questioners. 

E. Selection 

The interview panel is to: 

1.  Individually assess the candidates according to their answers to the job description-related questions, rating and commenting on each candidate; and 

2.  Submit a report to the Superintendent, including the individual rating forms as well as a list (usually 2 to 4) of candidates to be considered further for the position. 

The Superintendent/designee is to: 

1.  Have reference contacts made, as appropriate, to check the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the candidates; 

2.   Review the material on the finalist candidates to determine whether additional information is needed; 

3.  Conduct final interviews of any or all finalists, as deemed necessary; 

4.  Select the most qualified candidate who fits the criteria and the duties/responsibilities outlined in the job description, based on his/her own professional judgment along with those of the interview panel (or, reject all finalists, reopen the position and begin the process anew); and 

5.  Have any further reference checks made, as appropriate. 

F.  Nomination/Employment 

The Superintendent is to: 

1.  Notify and obtain agreement of the successful candidate, pending School Committee approval; 

2. Inform the interview panel; and

3.  Nominate and employ the successful candidate in accordance with state law and local policies. 

G.  Notification 

The Superintendent/designee may: 

1. Notify the nominee of the School Committee approval and employ the administrator; and 

2.  Notify the other candidates interviewed. 

H.  Orientation and Support 

To ensure that the new administrator is provided with the proper information about the system and job expectations, the Superintendent/designee is to provide an orientation that includes expectations of the duties/responsibilities of the position along with the policies and procedures of the local school unit. 

I.  Record Keeping 

To ensure that the confidentiality of employee and applicant records are properly maintained, the Superintendent is to provide for the maintenance in secure files of all applications and documentation of the hiring, screening and interviewing process for a period of three (3) years. 

J.  Confidentiality 

To ensure that confidentiality is maintained throughout and permanently following the hiring process, the School Committee, all employees involved, and any other participants are to maintain absolute confidentiality about candidates, including names, in accordance with state law (20-A MRSA § 6101). The School Committee is to assume responsibility through the Superintendent for providing adequate orientation at appropriate stages of the process, including at the completion. 

K.  Hiring of Current Employees 

The school unit may forego one or more of the steps set forth in sections B-E of this procedure and appoint a person who is currently employed by the unit to fill an administrative position only if the Superintendent, after consultation with the School Committee, or the Search Committee in a Superintendent search, determines that the following circumstances exist: 

1.  The currently employed candidate is exceptionally well qualified for the position; and 

2.  The decision to forego all or part of the recruitment and screening process will not detract from the goals of this policy. 

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Revised: September 11, 2017 

Reviewed: April 3, 2023