Keystone Superintendent
Search Service
A collaborative service of DiRocco Education Consulting and Connie R. Kindler Educational Consulting
Recent Searches
Lower Dauphin School District - Completed 8-28-23.
Keystone Central School District - Completed 11-30-23.
Bellefonte Area School District - Completed 4-9-24.
Central Dauphin School District - Completed 5-20-24.
Littlestown Area School District - Completed 6-17-24.
Quotes from School Board Members upon the successful completion of their recent Superintendent Search:
"One thing I promise you won't get with other search firms is the breadth of experience and professional connections found with Mark and Connie." Lower Dauphin School Board Member.
"We never expected to have 19 high quality candidates applying for the position, and that was possible because of your network." Lower Dauphin School Board Member.
"Through the whole process, Mark and Connie kept us informed, listened to us - they really listened to us and that gave us a great level of comfort." Lower Dauphin School Board Member
"I can honestly say that your firm did all we asked of you as consultants, and believe that you confidently guided our search process which ultimately helped us locate our new superintendent." Keystone Central School Board Member
A Superintendent Search Service
Customized for Your District
Who we are. As former school district superintendents, and leaders of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, we believe we are in a unique position to assist Pennsylvania School Boards with their most important responsibility, the selection of their Superintendent of Schools.We are familiar with Pennsylvania School Districts, have trained hundreds of current and aspiring superintendents, and conducted numerous sessions on effective school board governance. We have contacts with hundreds of school leaders across the state and nation that will result in a quality pool of candidates for the search process.
What we deliver. We lead a comprehensive search process that prioritizes your school board’s identification of a superintendent who best matches your school district’s values, needs, and goals. We provide a search and transition process that assists your identification of the candidate who is the best fit for your district and assimilates well as the tenth member of the School Board. The goal of our service is to not only find the right superintendent for your district, but also provide ongoing support to set the groundwork for a long and productive tenure for the superintendent in leading your schools.
Support after the search. To promote a positive school board-superintendent relationship, we offer a “Team of 10” session shortly after the new superintendent is on board.
About the consultants:
Dr. Mark DiRocco, served 14 years as Superintendent of the Lewisburg Area School District, was the 2016 PA Superintendent of the Year, and was the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) for 6 years serving more than 900 superintendents, assistant superintendents, and intermediate unit directors. Throughout the pandemic many school leaders called Mark their lifeline.
Connie R. Kindler served 8 years as Superintendent of Camp Hill School District and was the former PASA Consultant for Professional Development for 6 years. She designed and facilitated workshops, conferences, webinars, and coaching and mentoring services to meet the changing needs of school leaders across the state.
You can read more about Mark and Connie on the "About the Search Consultants" page. Please contact us for a free consultation or to complete your RFP:
Mark DiRocco, Ph.D. Connie R. Kindler, M.Ed.
mark@diroccoedconsulting.com ckindler@comcast.net
570-713-9159 717-215-4075
Keystone Superintendent Search Service
Services and Fees
Effective June 1, 2024
Complete Executive Search:
Planning Meeting: Facilitation of planning meeting with School Board to customize search process to District’s needs and preferences, inclusive of learning the Board’s expectations for their next superintendent.
Phase 1: Engagement of stakeholders via surveys in the development of the “School District and Superintendent Profile.” (Profile used to advertise and recruit the right match).
Phase 2: Identification of a pool of viable candidates unique to the “School District and Superintendent Profile” via widespread recruitment and advertising (Data Base consisting of 600+ potential candidates). Consultants will review all application requirements (i.e., certification, clearances, etc.) to assure applicants are qualified to serve as a superintendent in PA.
Phase 3: Assistance with the development and facilitation of a high quality, comprehensive first round interview process. Prior to first round interviews, Consultants will virtually interview and record the applicants’ self-introductions to assist the Board’s selection of candidates for first round interviews.
Phase 4: Assistance with the development and facilitation of a high quality, comprehensive final interview and finalist selection process.
Phase 5: Workshop for “Team of Ten” (new superintendent and school board) to promote aligned leadership and governance.
Throughout Search: Confidentiality, coordination of meetings, communications with applicants, website posting samples during each Phase, frequent School Board updates, and a collaborate meeting with School Board during each Phase.
Executive Search Fee:
Complete Executive Search: Phases 1-5 - $25,000*
Other Options:
Limited Search: Phases 1 and 2 only - $15,000* Phases 1 and 2, as described above. Consultants will turn over the materials to the School Board who will complete the Search process.
Team of Ten Workshop: Phase 5 only - $2,000* Consultants facilitate after the new superintendent is seated. (This workshop is a standalone service that the Consultants frequently provide with or without a Search.)
Mentoring and Support - $6,000* Monthly meetings and 24/7 access for the superintendent for one year from his/her election (highly recommended for first time superintendents and superintendents new to PA).
Focus group(s) with stakeholders (i.e., staff, parents, students, etc.) during Phase 1 - $1,000* per group
Focus group(s) with stakeholders during Phase 4 - $1,500* per group.
*Plus reimbursement for travel, lodging (if needed), and advertising.