Search begins for new Shorewood superintendent

Shorewood - The search for the next superintendent is officially under way with a contract awarded to a search firm.

The School Board on Tuesday voted to award an $11,500 contract to Libertyville, Ill., based B.W.P. and Associates. The firm will be charged with taking a number of steps to seek out the successor to Blane McCann, who announced earlier this month he was retiring in July.

B.W.P. was one of eight recruitment firms the district sent a request for proposal. The firm topped the list because of its proximity to the Milwaukee area and its dealings with a neighboring school district. B.W.P. worked with Whitefish Bay school officials when a replacement was sought for former Superintendent Jim Rickabaugh, who retired in June 2010 and subsequently was replaced by current administrator Mary Gavigan.

Shorewood School Board member Rob Reinhoffer was charged with doing follow-up by checking B.W.P. references.

"They were very disciplined in following through," Reinhoffer said of the comments he received. "Overall, the responses were positive."

Plans call for B.W.P. staff to discuss next steps with the School Board in February. School Board President Paul Zovic said a pivotal part of the process will be compiling a list of the qualities and attributes all stakeholders - including staff and community members - want in their next school district leader.

"We'll work with them on that," Zovic said.