Proposal For Superintendent Hiring

A Proposal
For the Selection of a

State Superintendent of Schools
Presented To:
Submitted By:
CORPORATE OFFICE
4403 1ST AVENUE SE, SUITE 407
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA 52402-3221
PHONE: 319-393-3115
FAX: 319-393-4931
E-mail: glr@rayassoc.com
Website: www.rayassoc.com
MICHIGAN OFFICE
QUINN AND ASSOCIATES
P.O. BOX 157
OLD MISSION, MI 49673
PHONE: 231-642-0967
Finding Leaders for Americas Schools
Phone: 319-393-3115
Fax: 319-393-4931
Email: glr@rayassoc.com
Executive Plaza Building

4403 First Avenue SE, Ste 407
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Leaders in Executive Searches

October 13, 2014
Michigan State Board of Education
ATTN: Mr. John C. Austin, Board President
608 W. Allegan Street
P.O. Box 30008
Lansing, MI 48909
Dear Mr. Austin and members of the State Board of Education:
Ray and Associates, Inc. is fully capable of meeting all the requirements of the RFP issued October 7th,
2014. We clearly understand the search process that is necessary for the state department of
education to follow to be successful. In fact, we very typically receive more fully completed
applications for the clients we represent than any other search firm in the country.
As Im sure you are aware, the selection of state superintendent will be one of the most important
tasks your State Board of Education will perform. The boards success in the search process will affect
your State Department of Educations programs for years to come. It is extremely important to find
the right fit for the department. Ray and Associates has recently conducted the state superintendent
of public instruction search for the Ohio Department of Education, state superintendent search for the
West Virginia Department of Education, Mississippi Department of Education and Wyoming Department
of Education, the executive director search for the Oregon School Boards Association and previously
assisted the Florida Department of Education and Rhode Island Department of Education with their
commissioner of education searches. Our firm has also conducted educational leadership searches for
the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, Arizona School Boards Association, Broward County Schools,
Florida; Santa Clara County Office of Education, California and Milwaukee Public Schools, Wisconsin to
name a few.
Ray and Associates, Inc. is a national search firm that is uniquely equipped to assist you in the
selection of a state superintendent who meets your particular needs and qualifications. We will not
only advertise, but also actively recruit potential candidates that will meet the criteria established by
your board, including women and minorities. Most other consultants do not seek out candidates for a
position as we do for our clients. With our extensive national associate base, Ray and Associates, Inc.
will be able to recruit quality candidates from around the country as well as within the state. We have
often found excellent in-state candidates, who would not otherwise have applied for the position due to
a possible conflict of interest with a state or local firm. Our professional, objective procedures allow us
to attract, process, and screen the most successful candidates for a State Superintendent position. You
will also find our system is flexible, which allows us to customize the search to meet the desires of the
board.
1
This is property of Ray and Associates, Inc. and is not intended for duplication or distribution without permission.
Our partnership with Quinn and Associates provides a state presence being Michigan-based. Dr. Tim Quinn
has been recognized nationally as a pioneer in superintendent preparation, coaching and support. In 1998,
he founded the Michigan Leadership Institute and the SUPES Academy, which convened for the first time in
2000. Today, more than half of Michigans school superintendents have received leadership preparation
through the SUPES Academy. In 2002, he was contracted by The Broad Foundation of Los Angeles,
California, to serve as the founding Managing Director of The Broad Center for Superintendents and the
Broad Superintendents Academy. This Academy focused on preparing leaders across America for the
superintendency of our nations largest and most challenging urban districts.
Ray and Associates, Inc. firm has exhibited at the National School Boards Association (NSBA) and the
American Association of School Administrators (AASA) for over thirty-eight years. This year the firm
will exhibit and present at numerous state school board associations. Exhibiting and presenting at
these state and national organizations allows the firm to meet and recruit outstanding administrators
for our clients.
It is our goal to make the selection process professional, efficient, and successful to assure your
complete satisfaction with our services. It is quite common for a board to be concerned about the
quality of candidates who might be available in todays chief executive officer market. Outstanding
administrators will need to be recruited regardless of the time of year or the position needs to be filled
because many of these school leaders already have good jobs. We feel that our firm can be very
successful in attracting candidates that will meet or exceed your expectations. With a consulting firm
of over one hundred sixty (160) associates located nationwide, Ray and Associates, Inc. and Quinn and
Associates will be able to develop the most comprehensive pool of candidates of any executive search
firm in the country.
We will strive to provide the Michigan State Board of Education with the best match possible based on
what we learn in our extensive interaction with the board and key players in the search. It is our
desire to activate our network in your behalf to locate individuals that can effectively assume the state
superintendent position.
We welcome the opportunity to make a presentation of our services at your convenience. If you have
any further questions or comments regarding the enclosed information, please do not hesitate to
contact our Cedar Rapids office at 319-393-3115.
Sincerely,
Gary L. Ray
President
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EXHIBIT A: STATEMENT OF WORK

Work and Deliverables ............................................................................................. 1
Proposal Response Requirements ............................................................................. 2
Pricing .................................................................................................................... 2
EXHIBIT B: GENERAL PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Company Contact Information .............................................................................. 3
Business Owned by Qualified Disabled Veteran................................................... 17
Experience with the State of Michigan ............................................................... 17
Gross Annual Sales Summary ............................................................................ 19
Experience ....................................................................................................... 20
Strategic Relationships ...................................................................................... 21
Principal Place of Business ................................................................................ 21
Standard Contract ............................................................................................ 21
3
EXHIBIT A
STATEMENT OF WORK
B. WORK AND DELIVERABLES
We understand and are prepared to meet the criteria and activities listed a-h on the RFP
issued on October 7th , 2014 by the State of Michigan.
4
C. PROPOSAL RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
The search and recruitment strategy that will be used to meet the requirements
identified in Section B, Work and Deliverables. The strategy must identify the
project management process; project breakdown identifying project and subproject tasks, and resources required; expected frequency and mechanism for
updates/progress reviews; process for addressing issues and changes; and
individuals responsible for receiving and reacting to requested information.
Vendors Response:
SEARCH PROCESS FOR THE MICHIGAN STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

THE CONSULTANT WILL:
STAGE 1 - BOARD INPUT AND PREPARATION
1.
Customize the search process to meet the needs and expectations of the Michigan State
Board of Education.
2.
Conduct individual state board member interviews to assess the boards priorities, goals and
objectives to aid in the development of the criteria and qualifications for the state
superintendent position.
3.
Work with the state board to establish a timeline that lists each step in the search process.
4.
Discuss with the board the requirements and salary range for the state superintendent
position.
5.
Work with the Michigan State Board of Education staff and those selected by the board in
the development of an accurate informational flyer and online application form. If desired,
our office staff has the experience and capability to create the districts promotional flyer.
The printing of the flyer will be the responsibility of the department of education.
6.
Provide sample letters to be used by the Michigan State Board of Education in its
correspondence regarding the vacancy.
STAGE 2 - PROFILE DEVELOPMENT AND PROCESS

7.
If desired, provide a proven consensus building mechanism for obtaining input from various
stakeholders and the board. In addition, our firm has the resources to offer an online
survey option. We will provide a link to the survey to post on the departments website.
The consultants will receive and organize all input data and then report the results to the
board.
8.
Provide the board with cost saving options to minimize expenses by utilizing Skype,
conference calls or gotomeetings to reduce paper copies, travel expenses and shipping
costs.
9.
Develop all required forms for the application and screening process.
STAGE 3 - RECRUITING AND SCREENING

10.
Conduct all aspects of the recruitment process on a statewide, regional and national basis
as follows:
Notify all associates to actively recruit potential candidates.
Contact individuals in our firms database whose interests match the departments criteria.
5
Actively recruit applications from qualified individuals.

Solicit nominations from knowledgeable people in the profession.
Contact other professional consultants in private and public sectors.
Discuss with all candidates the districts characteristics and the state board of educations
profile and criteria for the new state superintendent position.
Advertise nationally in the following as selected by the board: AASA Website, Education
Week Newspaper and Website, Ray and Associates Website, the Michigan School
Administrators and Michigan School Boards Publications, Women in Higher Education,
NABSE, ALAS, The School Administrator Publication, Executives Only Website and other
publications selected by the board.
11. Develop and manage the candidate screening process. All applicants are screened from the
perspective of a viable match with the established criteria to determine their capabilities, strengths
and weaknesses. The search team thoroughly reviews each file and seeks alignment of
qualifications with state Board expectations. Those who emerge successfully from this screening
are deemed viable candidates.
12. Check references provided and conduct additional background investigation of leading candidates.
Our firm interviews each viable candidate that meets board criteria and verifies their qualifications,
experience and eligibility of certification. Our background research team then conducts extensive
investigations on those individuals. The investigations go well beyond listed references and their
current position to include contacts with state associations and various national leadership
organizations. A complete check of a candidates work history is also completed utilizing online
resources such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, Facebook, Twitter and other social media sources as well
as checking for blogs through candidates local newspaper.
STAGE 4 - CANDIDATE PRESENTATION

13. Provide the state board with an opportunity to observe each semi-finalist candidate interviewed
with questions specifically designed to the Michigan State Board of Education superintendent search
through video technology. This will allow board members to get a better perspective of each
candidate in order to determine which candidates to interview. Ray and Associates is the only
search firm that provides this video technology screening of candidates. By offering this
opportunity, will save the board members on expenses and their time.
14. Provide an impartial and objective consensus building matrix instrument developed by Ray and
Associates to assist the board in determining the finalists for an interview. We have been
extremely effective working with boards who are divided on issues and candidates.
15. Assist the board in establishing the interview format and in developing interview questions.
16. Coordinate any stakeholder involvement in the interview process, if desired by the board.
17. Help arrange the details of interviews for leading candidates.
18. Coordinate with the Michigan State Board of Education designated liason the procedure for
reimbursement of candidates expenses.
STAGE 5 - SELECTION OF FINALIST AND FUTURE PLANNING

19. If desired, assist district legal staff in negotiating the contract with the successful candidate at no
additional cost.
20. After the appointment, dispose of the files and send appropriate communications to the candidates
not interviewed by the board.
21. Assist in preparing a press release, upon request, announcing the appointment of the new state
superintendent.
The state superintendent search services and process provided above can be adjusted to meet the specific
needs of the Michigan State Board of Education.
6
CANDIDATE IDENTIFICATION - RECRUITMENT

Ray and Associates, Inc. and Quinn and Associates maintains a working relationship with key individuals at the
college and university level along with other national public and private organizations for the purpose of recruiting
outstanding candidates. However, we are not directly connected with any college, university or any other
organization. This allows us to be extremely objective in the search process. We stay abreast of the
performance of outstanding school administrators throughout the country, which has contributed to our high
success rate.
Ray and Associates, Inc. maintains a very large pre-screened database of top candidates who are interested in
new and challenging positions. The strengths and administrative skills of these potential candidates have been
analyzed by the firm. However, it is important for our clients to know we are not a placement service that owes
any favors to prospective candidates. Our professional objective is to aggressively recruit and advertise for the
best candidate who meets the qualifications and characteristics of a superintendent as set forth by the board.
Our recruitment process is very comprehensive, highlighted by the following steps:
Inform the firms over 160 associates of the position and seek recommendations
Utilize Quinn and Associates Michigan network and national reputation to recruit outstanding candidates
Advertise in local, regional and national venues known for high readership by school leaders
Consult our extensive database for precise matches between department and candidate profiles
Aggressively recruit successful school leaders who are not currently seeking a new position to invite them
to consider the Michigan State Board of Education position
Contact other organizations at state, regional and national levels regarding the position
Proactively seek out potential candidates at state and national conventions
Candidate
Care: Easy
Online
Application
Process
Aggressively
Recruit
Candidates
Who Are Not
Currently
Seeking a New
Position
Seek
Recommendati
ons from Over
160 Associates
Nationwide
Contact State,
Regional and
National
Organizations
Review Our
Database for
Qualified
Candidates
Advertise in
Local, Regional
and National
Venues
Ray and Associates, Inc. is a very diverse firm; over 40% of our associates are women and/or minorities. Our
firm has placed more women and minorities in the country in the last ten years than any other firm.
Ray and Associates has developed the most comprehensive pool of candidates of any executive search firm in the
country. Our firm has a national reputation for the recruitment of outstanding candidates that match the profile
expectations of our clients. We have also been extremely successful in recruiting women, minorities and nontraditional candidates. It is only a matter of reality that outstanding administrators already have good jobs and
will need to be recruited. However, even more important, is the investigative process and background checks we
perform on all viable candidates to ensure you are looking at quality school leaders in all aspects. It will be our
shared goal with the state board to make the selection process inclusive, professional, efficient and successful so
we can state without reservation you will be quite pleased with our services.
Ray and Associates, Inc. complies with all equal opportunity laws in the firms search for the best and brightest
candidates for our placement services and within our organization.
7
THE SEARCH PROCESS COLLABORATIVE MODEL

The state boards role is the most important one in the search process. Although we assist you in the
process by actively recruiting, identifying, and recommending qualified candidates, you alone will
determine which candidate you will hire.
Once recruited, all applicants are screened from the perspective of a viable match with established
criteria to determine their capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. The search team thoroughly reviews
each file and seeks alignment of qualifications with district expectations. Those who emerge
successfully from this screening are termed viable candidates, and our background research team then
conducts extensive investigations on those individuals. Our firm will interview each viable candidate
that meets the criteria and verifies their qualifications, experience and eligibility of certification. The
investigations go well beyond listed references and their current position to include contacts with state
associations and national leadership organizations such as American Association of School
Administrators (AASA) and National Association of Black School Educators (NABSE). Our firm also
checks current and past relationships with administrators and verifies candidates education and work
history utilizing multiple internet sites and social media feeds. A complete check of a candidates work
history is completed utilizing online resources such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, Facebook, MySpace,
Twitter and other social media sources as well as checking for blogs through candidates local
newspaper. We not only vet candidates extensively in their professional career, but it is also important
for us to be familiar with their personal life as that can have an impact in their profession.
Our search process is set up in a manner that provides the state board with a collaborative monitoring
capability which features clearly defined checkpoints:
Timeline
Input
Qualifications
Flyers
Establish a timeline for the process

Determine the input process
Set the state superintendent qualifications
Review and approve informational flyers and
application forms
Progress Reports
Receive regular progress reports from the

consultant
Interview Process
Approve format and questions for the

interview process
Candidates
On-Site Visits
Hiring
Contract
Press Release
Select candidates for final interview

Optional on-site visits of leading candidates
Hire the candidate
Determine and approve the contract
Approve the press release
8
The timeline and milestones identifying the work program that would be used to
meet the time requirements identified in this Statement of Work.
Vendors Response:
Michigan State Board of Education

STATE SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SUGGESTED TIMELINE
Items highlighted in yellow indicate an in-person meeting with the consultant(s)
*All applications will be reviewed. Materials received after the closing date may be given full
Stage 5
Selection of Finalist
& Future Planning
Stage 4
Candidate
Presentation
Stage 3
Recruiting
& Screening
Stage 2
Profile
Development
& Process
Stage 1
Board Input &
Preparation
DATE
consideration depending upon the number of applications received and other factors.
(Actual dates to be determined in the first meeting with the Michigan State Board of Education).
10/2014
Consultant planning meeting with the board and individual board member interviews.
10/2014
Begin preparing information for the promotional flyer and online application form with the
state liaison representative(s).
10/2014
Notify all associates and other professional contacts of vacancy.
11/2014
If desired contact key stakeholders for input meetings on
11/2014
If desired, online survey link, for input on developing the profile, available on state website
from
to
.
12/2014
If desired meet with key stakeholders.
12/2014
If desired, 8 a.m. deadline for survey/input from stakeholders and board members, including
online survey.
12/2014
Promotional flyer draft due.
12/2014
Board to finalize superintendent profile for the promotional flyer and online application form.
12/2014
Print promotional flyer. Forward to consultant.
12/2014
E-mail promotional flyer and online application instructions to interested candidates.
02/2015
Deadline for all application materials. (*See note below.)
03/2014
Consultant develops and finalizes interview questions and procedures with the board.
Candidates are presented to the board and consultant assists the board in selecting
candidates for interviews. (Time: TBD)
03/2014
Interview candidates (1st round).
03/2014
Meeting with consultant following the last interview. (Time: TBD)
03/2014
Interview finalist candidates (2nd round).
03/2014
Final meeting with consultant following the last interview. (Time: TBD) (option to conduct via
(Time: TBD) (option to conduct via Skype or gotomeetings.com)
(Time: TBD) (option to conduct via Skype or gotomeetings.com)
Skype or gotomeetings.com)
TBD
Consultant will discuss contract terms with the finalist.
04/2015
04/2015
Offer the contract.

Press release of new state superintendent.
9
The Contractors understanding of the educational context, governance, structure,

landscape, policy, political context and environment of Michigan or other similar
states
Vendors Response:
Ray and Associates, Inc. has conducted numerous successful state searches in the state of
Michigan and is very familiar with the educational context, governance, structure, landscape, policy,
political context and environment of Michigan and other similar states.
Our partnership with Quinn and Associates and Dr. Timothy G. Quinn gives tremendous
opportunities to work with and provide a local presence being Michigan-based as well as our national
exposure. Dr. Tim Quinn has been recognized nationally as a pioneer in superintendent preparation,
coaching and support. In 1998, he founded the Michigan Leadership Institute and the SUPES
Academy, which convened for the first time in 2000. Today, more than half of Michigans school
superintendents have received leadership preparation through the SUPES Academy. In 2002, he was
contracted by The Broad Foundation of Los Angeles, California, to serve as the founding Managing
Director of The Broad Center for Superintendents and the Broad Superintendents Academy. This
Academy focused on preparing leaders across America for the superintendency of our nations largest
and most challenging urban districts.
Quinn holds a PhD from the University of Michigan, and has been recognized with honorary doctoral
degrees from Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Grand Valley State Universities for his leadership
in the field of education.
Tim has extensive knowledge of the education community in Michigan having conducted over 150
superintendent searches in the past 15 years. He understands both the Michigan political and
educational environment at the K-12, community college and university levels.
10
The Contractors knowledge of Michigan and national education leadership

networks to engage in soliciting candidates
Vendors Response:
Ray and Associates, Inc. has nearly 40 years experience conducting numerous
state commissioner searches as well as working with high profile urban and suburban
districts across the country. Along with Quinn and Associates we have extensive
experience within the state of Michigan, please see pages 17-18.
Quinn and Associates founded the Michigan Leadership Institute and the SUPES
Academy. Today, more than half of Michigans school superintendents have received
leadership preparation through the SUPES academy. Tim Quinn was contracted to serve
as the founding Managing Director of the Broad Center for Superintendents and the
Broad Superintendent Academy. This academy focused on preparing leaders for
superintendency s of our nations largest and most challenging urban districts.
11
The names and title of personnel who will be assigned to the project, including the
name of each individual, work location (time zone), and detailed description of their
roles and responsibilities under the project.
Vendors Response:
KEY ASSOCIATES FOR THE PROJECT

The following principal/project coordinators will be actively involved in working with the school district.
The associates listed will be assisting in recruitment, screening, and background checks. The firm
chooses various associates across the country to be sure that every region will be covered to recruit
the best candidates for the Michigan State Board of Education. In addition, we have professional
contacts throughout the Northern Midwest region and nationally. The following is only a partial list of
associates who will be involved in the recruitment and screening of candidates. The firm will actually
involve many more associates for the project.
Mr. Gary L. Ray, President

Principal/Project Coordinator-Cedar Rapids, IA
Gary is president of Ray and Associates, Inc. He supervises and oversees all searches conducted by
the firm and will directly interact with the Michigan State Board of Education and any committee that
may be established on all details of this search. Mr. Ray is a former school administrator with an
advanced degree who has worked with hundreds of school boards over the past thirty-eight years.
Dr. Timothy Quinn
President, Quinn and Associates- Old Mission, MI

Tim holds a PhD from the University of Michigan, and has been recognized with honorary doctoral
degrees from Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Grand Valley State Universities for his leadership
in the field of education. He founded the Michigan Leadership and has served as the founding
Managing Director of the Broad Center for Superintendents and the Broad Academy. Dr. Quinn will play
a lead role in candidate recruiting and screening.
Dr. Bill Newman
National Executive Director-Mountain Home, AR

Bill serves our firm as the National Executive Director and assists the president with all aspects of our
executive searches. He also assigns all background investigative work on candidates and supervises
the teams work. He has an earned Ph.D., is a former superintendent of schools and is a retired
military veteran.
Mr. Ryan Ray
Corporate Director-Cedar Rapids, IA

Ryan serves our firm as a corporate director and assists the president with all aspects of our executive
searches. He also assigns all background investigative work on candidates and supervises the teams
work. He has an earned masters degree from Lindenwood University in St. Louis and a bachelors
degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.
12
Dr. Mary Fasbender
Regional Search Director -St. Charles, IL

Mary serves our firm as a regional search director, team member and background investigator and as
such performs the recruiting and screening of candidates. She has an earned doctorate in Education
from Northern Illinois University and has been a teacher, assistant principal, assistant superintendent
and superintendent in Illinois for the past 40 years.
Dr. Stan Paz

Regional Search Director- Tucson, AZ
Stan serves our firm as a regional search director and will monitor and direct search team efforts as
well as recruit and screen candidates. He has an earned Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the
University of Arizona and served as a superintendent, deputy superintendent and associate
superintendent in Texas and Arizona for over 20 years.
Ms. Anita Johnson

Regional Search Director- Laguna Niguel, CA
Anita serves our firm as a regional search director, team member and background investigator and as
such performs recruiting and screening of candidates. She has served as the Executive Director of the
National Center for Education Research & Technology, a national superintendents group, for the over
ten years. Anita Johnson has over twenty-five years of public personnel experience with emphasis on
executive search, recruitment and selection, organizational development, and classification and
compensation analysis.
Dr. Gary Norris
Regional Search Associate- Waterloo, IA

Gary serves our firm as a regional search associate, team member and background investigator and as
such performs recruiting and screening of candidates. He earned his Ph.D. in Education Administration
from Kansas State University and has been a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, and
teacher in several states for over 40 years.
Dr. Michael Rush
Regional Search Associate-Lakewood, NJ

Michael serves our firm as a regional search associate, team member and background investigator and
as such performs recruiting and screening of candidates. He has an earned doctorate in Educational
Leadership from Nova Southeastern University and was a superintendent, deputy superintendent and
principal in New Jersey for 15 years. Dr. Rush also worked with the New Jersey Department of
Education for 5 years.
Ms. Michelle Keith

Vice President, Quinn and Associates- Old Mission, MI
Michelle holds both a bachelors and masters degree from Iowa State University. With a career that
includes years of higher education experience she was the co-founder and vice president of the
Michigan Leadership Institute, through the institute Ms. Keith was engaged by the Broad Foundation.
Michelle Keith has over twenty years of human resources experience with emphasis on employment,
collaborative bargaining, compensation, planning and policy governance.
13
D. PRICING
Vendors Response:
Please see separately saved document as requested in the proposal issued on October 7th, 2014.
14
EXHIBIT B
GENERAL PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Company Contact Information
1. Sole contact during the RFP process. Include the name, title, and contact information (address,
email and phone number).
2. Sole contact authorized to receive and sign any resulting Contract (address, email, and phone
number).
Vendor Response:
Overview of the company
Sole Contact: Gary L. Ray, Principal/Owner
Address: 4403 1st Avenue SE, Suite 407, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
Telephone: 319-393-3115
Fax: 319-393-4931
E-Mail: glr@rayassoc.com
Whether company is local, regional, or national: Ray and Associates conducts local, statewide,
regional and national business.
Areas of specialization: Ray and Associates, Inc. has performed various types of national executive
searches over the past thirty-eight (39) years, including state superintendent searches for state
Departments of Education, superintendent, assistant superintendent, chief executive officer, chief
financial officer, principal, business manager, executive director and administrator, for which we recruit
traditional and non-traditional candidates.
15
2. Company Background Information.

Vendor Response:
BACKGROUND OF THE ORGANIZATION

Ray and Associates, Inc. is a professional organization that specializes in school executive leadership searches.
The firm has been in the school executive search business since 1975 and has established an outstanding
reputation. The firm has been recognized by The School Administrator journal as one of the top search firms in
the country. Our professional consultants, including women and minorities, are persons with long-term
experience in the school executive search field with extensive backgrounds as school administrators, business
executives, school board members, university professors, and attorneys. All of the consultants within the firm
have years of experience in the school executive search field .
Ray and Associates, Inc. is an independent and objective firm that does not accept placement fees from any
candidate. We have designed a highly effective procedure that allows us to impartially assist schools in selecting
the best individual for their particular needs.
In partnership with Quinn and Associates, Dr. Timothy G. Quinn along with Ray and Associates, Inc. gives the
Michigan State Board of Education tremendous opportunity to work with and provide a local presence being
Michigan-based as well as our national exposure. Throughout his career, Dr. Quinn has served as an English
teacher and football coach, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and at age 32, was appointed
Superintendent of the 20,000-student Green Bay Public Schools in Wisconsin, a position that he held for almost
seven years. Dr. Tim Quinn has been recognized nationally as a pioneer in superintendent preparation, coaching
and support. In 1998, he founded the Michigan Leadership Institute and the SUPES Academy, which convened
for the first time in 2000. Today, more than half of Michigans school superintendents have received leadership
preparation through the SUPES Academy. In 2002, he was contracted by The Broad Foundation of Los Angeles,
California, to serve as the founding Managing Director of The Broad Center for Superintendents and the Broad
Superintendents Academy. This Academy focused on preparing leaders across America for the superintendency
of our nations largest and most challenging urban districts.
In addition to our corporate office located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we have a national executive director, corporate
director, six regional directors and over one hundred sixty (160) associates located throughout the country.
Therefore, distance is not a factor to our firm when meeting with our clients.
The corporate office also maintains a full-time administrative staff to assist in the executive search business and
can be reached at (319) 393-3115 or at www.rayassoc.com
Our firm has exhibited and presented at the National School Boards Association (NSBA) and the American
Association of School Administrators (AASA) for the past thirty-eight (38) years. In fact, past president of the
American Association of School Administrators (AASA), Dr. Don Kussmaul, is an active associate with our firm. In
addition, we have exhibited at various state school board conventions, including such states as Virginia, Illinois,
Iowa, Arizona, California, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Nebraska and others. We are the only search firm that
invests the time and money to exhibit at national conventions which ultimately benefits our clients. We also have
associates who are affiliated with the Council of Great City Schools, Urban Superintendents Association of America
Broad Urban Superintendents Academy, the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS),
National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), as well as with other professional organizations. Exhibiting
at state and national conventions allows the firm to meet and recruit outstanding administrators for our client
districts. As a result, Ray and Associates has access to the most comprehensive pool of candidates of any
executive search firm in the country.
It is only a matter of reality that outstanding administrators already have good jobs and need to be recruited.
We recently conducted the state superintendent search for West Virginia Department of Education and have
previously conducted state superintendent searches for the Mississippi Department of Education and Wyoming
Department of Education, the executive director search for the Oregon School Boards Association and previously
assisted the Florida Department of Education and Rhode Island Department of Education with their commissioner
of education searches. Our firm has also conducted educational leadership searches for the Iowa Board of
Educational Examiners, Ohio Department of Education, Arizona School Boards Association, Broward County
Schools, Florida; Santa Clara County Office of Education, California and Milwaukee Public Schools, Wisconsin to
name a few. Our network and recruiting efforts are second to none. We bring a wealth of experience and
knowledge to your district focused upon our goal to make the selection process professional, efficient, and
successful so we can state, without reservation, that you will be quite pleased with our services.
16
3. Business Owned by Qualified Disabled Veteran

Vendor response:
Is the bidder a disabled veteran-owned business?
No.
4. Experience with the State of Michigan.

Vendor response:
List of Michigan searches in the last 10 years from Ray and Associates.
Ann Arbor Public Schools

Ann Arbor, Michigan
(Superintendent)
West Bloomfield School District
West Bloomfield, Michigan
(Superintendent)
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Ann Arbor, Michigan
(Superintendent)
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
Plymouth, Michigan
(Superintendent)
St.Johns Public Schools
St. Johns, MI
(Superintendent)
Kalamazoo Public Schools

Kalamazoo, MI
(Asst. Supt. of Teaching and Learning)
Kalamazoo Public Schools

Kalamazoo, MI
(Director of Elementary Education)
17
4. Experience with the State of Michigan Continued.

Vendor response:
List of Michigan searches in the last 10 years from Quinn and Associates.
Essexville-Hampton Public Schools
Bangor Township School District
Swartz Creek Community

Schools
Port Huron School District
Eaton Rapids Public Schools
Inkster Public Schools
Kingsley Area Schools
Branch ISD
Ottawa ISD
Mecosta-Osceola ISD
Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle
ESD
Woodhaven-Brownstown School
District
Petoskey Public Schools
Brandywine Public Schools

Crestwood School District
Lincoln Consolidated Schools

Redford Union Schools
Boyne Falls Public Schools

Capac Community Schools
Farwell Area Schools
Marion Public Schools
East Lansing Public Schools
Wexford-Missaukee ISD
Potterville Public Schools
Western School District
South Haven Public Schools
Mecosta-Osceola ISD
Greenville Public Schools

YMCA Academy, Detroit, Michigan
Cass City Public Schools

Owosso Public Schools
Fruitport Community Schools
Mason County Central

Schools
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Lowell Area Schools
Buchanan Community
Schools
Riverview Community Schools
Albion Public Schools

Eaton ISD
Buckley Community School
Muskegon Community College
(President)
New Lothrop Area Public Schools
Westwood Heights
Schools
Shepherd Public
Schools
Bangor Township
School District
Traverse Bay Area ISD
South Redford School
District
Lansing School District
Morenci Area Schools
Novi Community Schools

Oak Park School District
Bangor Township School

District
East Grand Rapids Public
Schools
Allen Park Public Schools
Utica Community Schools
Bentley Community Schools
Gaylord Community Schools
Merrill Community Schools
Southfield Public Schools
Northport Public Schools
Oakland Schools
(Deputy
Superintendent)
Gratiot-Isabella RESD
Mt. Pleasant Public
Schools
Portage Public Schools
Clawson Public Schools
Alpena Public Schools
Montcalm ISD
Onsted Community
Schools
Buena Vista Schools
Ellsworth Community
School
Brandywine
Community Schools
Wayne RESA
Midland Public Schools
Okemos Public Schools
Dundee Community
Schools
Croswell-Lexington
Community Schools
Manchester
Community Schools
Ionia County ISD
Berkley School District
Freeland Community
School District
Livingston ESA
Homer Community Schools

Hopkins Public Schools
Charlotte Public Schools
Whitmore Lake Public
Schools
Huron School District
Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona
ESD
Troy School District (Deputy
Superintendent)
Dansville Schools
Calhoun ISD
Cheboygan Area Schools
Lake Shore Public Schools
Grand Ledge Public Schools
St. Louis Public Schools
Harbor Springs Public
Schools
Fennville Public Schools
Coldwater Community
Schools
Swan Valley School District
Constantine Schools
Garden City Public Schools
Deckerville Community
Schools
White Pigeon Community
Schools
Breckenridge Community
Schools
Dexter Community Schools
Brandon School District
Glen Oaks Community
College (President)
Harper Woods School
District
Bullock Creek School District
18
5. Gross Annual Sales
Contractor must identify the gross annual sales for the last 5 years.
If the award of any resulting contract will increase your gross revenue by more than 25%
from the last years sales, explain how you will scale up to manage this increase.
Vendor response:
Five Years of Gross Earnings
2013-2014
664,400
2012-2013
808,544
2011-2012
457,250
2010-2011
535,500
2009-2010
625,350
19
6. Experience
Vendor response:
Ray and Associates, Inc. has been recruiting and successfully placing state and local superintendents
for over thirty-eight years and has established an outstanding reputation. The firm has been
recognized by The School Administrator journal as one of the top search firms in the country. Our
professional consultants, including women and minorities, are persons with long-term experience in the
school executive search field with extensive backgrounds as school administrators, business executives,
school board members, university professors, and attorneys. All of the consultants within the firm have
years of experience in the school executive search field.
Searches vary from client to client, but typically take about three months. A thorough search is one
that commences with establishing position criteria, the timeline, and salary for the position and
proceeds through recruiting, advertising, screening and presentation of semi-finalists. The search is
only termed complete when the new State Superintendent is contracted for the position and our clients
are totally satisfied.
SCHOOL DISTRICT
LOCATION
CONTACT
PERSON
TITLE OF
CONTACT
West Virginia Department of

Education
(State Superintendent)
Charleston, West
Virginia
Donna
Peduto
Director of
Operations
Cheyenne,
Wyoming
Paige
FentonHughes
State Board of
Education
Coordinator
Cell: 307-349-4506
paige.fentonhughes@gmail.com
Columbus, Ohio
J.C. Benton
Director of
Board
Relations
Wk: 614-466-3825
j.c.benton@education.ohio.gov
Providence, Rhode
Island
Clark
Greene
Chief of Staff
Wk:401-222-8705
clark.greene@ride.ri.gov
Phoenix, Arizona
Michael
Hughes
Board
President
Wyoming Department of
Education
(Director of the
Department of
Education)
Ohio Department of
Education
(Supt. of Public
Instruction Search)
Rhode Island Dept. of
Education
(Commissioner Search)
Arizona School Boards
Association
(Executive Director
Search)
PHONE NUMBERS/ E-MAIL

Wk: 304-282-6754
dpeduto@gmail.com
Cell: 480-797-5043
Hm: 602-723-5485
mhughes@turnanewleaf.org
This is not a complete list, and more references can be provided upon request.
20
7. Strategic Relationships.
Explain any partnership and strategic relationships you currently have or have
used that would bring significant value to the State and how that relationship will
bring value to the state.
Vendor response:
Our partnership with Quinn and Associates and Dr. Timothy G. Quinn gives tremendous
opportunities to work with and provide a local presence being Michigan-based as well as our national
exposure. Dr. Tim Quinn has been recognized nationally as a pioneer in superintendent preparation,
coaching and support. In 1998, he founded the Michigan Leadership Institute and the SUPES Academy,
which convened for the first time in 2000. Today, more than half of Michigans school superintendents have
received leadership preparation through the SUPES Academy. In 2002, he was contracted by The Broad
Foundation of Los Angeles, California, to serve as the founding Managing Director of The Broad Center for
Superintendents and the Broad Superintendents Academy. This Academy focused on preparing leaders
across America for the superintendency of our nations largest and most challenging urban districts.
Quinn holds a PhD from the University of Michigan, and has been recognized with honorary doctoral
degrees from Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Grand Valley State Universities for his leadership in
the field of education.
Throughout his career, Quinn has served as an English teacher and football coach, assistant principal,
principal, assistant superintendent, and at age 32, was appointed Superintendent of the 20,000-student
Green Bay Public Schools in Wisconsin, a position that he held for almost seven years.
Tim has extensive knowledge of the education community in Michigan having conducted over 150
superintendent searches in the past 15 years. He understands both the Michigan political and educational
environment at the K-12, community college and university levels.
Michelle (Shelley) Keith was the co-founder and vice president of the Michigan Leadership Institute, which is
dedicated to leadership development, placement of outstanding leaders, and continuous research on the
topic of leadership. Through the Institute, Ms. Keith was engaged by The Broad Foundation to partner on
the creation and management of The Broad Superintendents Academy. This Academy was a rigorous tenmonth executive management program designed to prepare and support the next generation of urban
school leadership. As Associate Director of the Academy, Ms. Keith had responsibility for curriculum
development, program management, and coordination of alumni support services. These support services
included executive coaching, board retreats, instructional audits, and organizational audits.
8. Principal Place of Business.

Vendor response:
CORPORATE OFFICE
4403 1ST AVENUE SE, SUITE 407
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA 52402-3221
PHONE: 319-393-3115
FAX: 319-393-4931
E-mail: glr@rayassoc.com
9. Standard Contract
Vendor response:
PERFORMANCE CONTRACT
Ray and Associates, Inc. agrees with standard issued contract terms which will contain the provisions
of this proposal and any modifications or changes mutually agreed by the parties.
21

Proposal For Superintendent Hiring

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Proposal For Superintendent Hiring

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A Proposal

For the Selection of a

Finding Leaders for Americas Schools

Executive Plaza Building

Leaders in Executive Searches

EXHIBIT A: STATEMENT OF WORK

EXHIBIT B: GENERAL PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

C. PROPOSAL RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

SEARCH PROCESS FOR THE MICHIGAN STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

STAGE 2 - PROFILE DEVELOPMENT AND PROCESS

STAGE 3 - RECRUITING AND SCREENING

Actively recruit applications from qualified individuals.

STAGE 4 - CANDIDATE PRESENTATION

STAGE 5 - SELECTION OF FINALIST AND FUTURE PLANNING

CANDIDATE IDENTIFICATION - RECRUITMENT

THE SEARCH PROCESS COLLABORATIVE MODEL

Establish a timeline for the process

Receive regular progress reports from the

Approve format and questions for the

Select candidates for final interview

Approve the press release

Michigan State Board of Education

Notify all associates and other professional contacts of vacancy.

If desired contact key stakeholders for input meetings on

If desired meet with key stakeholders.

Promotional flyer draft due.

Print promotional flyer. Forward to consultant.

E-mail promotional flyer and online application instructions to interested candidates.

Deadline for all application materials. (*See note below.)

Interview candidates (1st round).

Meeting with consultant following the last interview. (Time: TBD)

Interview finalist candidates (2nd round).

(Time: TBD) (option to conduct via Skype or gotomeetings.com)

(Time: TBD) (option to conduct via Skype or gotomeetings.com)

Consultant will discuss contract terms with the finalist.

Offer the contract.

The Contractors understanding of the educational context, governance, structure,

The Contractors knowledge of Michigan and national education leadership

KEY ASSOCIATES FOR THE PROJECT

Mr. Gary L. Ray, President

Dr. Timothy Quinn

President, Quinn and Associates- Old Mission, MI

Dr. Bill Newman

National Executive Director-Mountain Home, AR

Mr. Ryan Ray

Corporate Director-Cedar Rapids, IA

Dr. Mary Fasbender

Regional Search Director -St. Charles, IL

Dr. Stan Paz

Ms. Anita Johnson

Dr. Gary Norris

Regional Search Associate- Waterloo, IA

Dr. Michael Rush

Regional Search Associate-Lakewood, NJ

Ms. Michelle Keith

2. Company Background Information.

BACKGROUND OF THE ORGANIZATION

3. Business Owned by Qualified Disabled Veteran

4. Experience with the State of Michigan.

Ann Arbor Public Schools

Kalamazoo Public Schools

Kalamazoo Public Schools

4. Experience with the State of Michigan Continued.