Seven Submit Search Bids for Superintendent

Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education formal bid opening (Sept. 10, 2010): Seven professional services firms have bid on an Ann Arbor Public Schools contract to aid in the search for a new district superintendent. Dave Comsa, AAPS assistant superintendent for human resources and legal services, chaired a formal bid opening today, publicly opening the stack of mail containing the bids.

In each case, Comsa checked whether the bid contained a signed original, as well as a notarized affidavit disclosing any familial relationships that might pose a conflict of interest. Comsa stated that the purpose of the morning meeting was simply to open the bids and cursorily examine them, but not to answer questions or hold any discussion.

However, representatives of two bidders were present – David J. Kinsella & Associates, and the Michigan Association of School Boards. These were the same two firms that attended the pre-bid meeting last week.

Of the seven bids received, three are from Michigan firms. The bids received, the location of the firms, and their base bid amounts were, in the order they were opened, as follows: Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Rosemont, Ill. ($28,000-$30,000); David J. Kinsella & Associates, Ann Arbor, Mich. (15% of the first year’s base salary of the new superintendent, plus expenses); Michigan Association of School Boards, Lansing, Mich. ($22,050); ProAct Search, Wilmette, Ill. ($22,450); Michigan Leadership Institute, Ossineke, Mich. ($17,000-$23,000); McPherson & Jacobson LLC, Omaha, Neb. ($18,500); and Ray & Associates, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa ($21,000-$24,500).

As he went through them, Comsa mentioned some of the various elements of the base bids: that some included the cost of aiding in the selection of an interim superintendent, but others listed that service as an additional charge. All of the bids also estimated additional ancillary expenses, such as advertising, travel, mileage, and out-of-pocket costs of the consultants.

Comsa stated that board members would be reviewing the proposals this week, and would discuss them at a study session scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 15. At the regular board meeting immediately following that study session, the finalists will be selected, who will then be invited to interview with the board on Sept. 22.

The board is engaging in a search for a new superintendent. Current superintendent Todd Roberts announced his resignation in August. [See Chronicle coverage: "With Roberts' Exit, AAPS Plans Next Steps"]