The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

January 5, 2009

Consulting firm to fill Waltman's position

Will cost between $10,000 and $25,000

By Tanner Kent

MANKATO — Mankato’s search for a new superintendent has officially begun — by starting another search.

With school administrators already in short supply statewide and the flagging economy discouraging job movement, Mankato Area School Board members agreed during Monday’s study session to hire a consulting firm to help find current Supt. Ed Waltman’s replacement.

Board members will likely call a special meeting in the next two weeks to interview a handful of consultant candidates. Fees will cost between $10,000 and $25,000 with funds provided through the district’s school board budget.

And while board members said such an expenditure may be criticized in the dawn of a multi-million budget reduction, they also said there is no price tag on peace of mind. Especially when the winning candidate will be supervising a $70 million budget and more than 1,000 employees.

“We need to spend the money to get the right person in here,” Sara Hansen told her fellow board members.

Once the selection is made, the consultant will work with the board to determine a variety of search parameters. In addition to guidelines and timelines, that will include determining a feasible salary range and a strategy for advertising the position.

In this area, Albert Lea, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton and Sleepy Eye have announced recent intentions to conduct superintendent searches. Last year, the Rochester school district hired its new superintendent at a base salary of $171,000 — or $40,0000 more than Waltman’s base salary this year.

“People won’t just be applying (to Mankato),” Hendricks said. “There are other options in our area. We just need to keep moving the process along, keep moving forward. We can’t get stalled.”

Waltman, 60, announced his retirement two weeks ago, effective at the end of June.

He began his career in the Waseca School District before joining Mankato Area Public Schools in 1974 as a business manager. He became co-superintendent in 1997 and assumed sole duties in 2001.

Born in Watertown, S.D., Waltman graduated first from St. Peter High School and then St. Cloud State. He holds advanced degrees from Minnesota State University.

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