MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A million dollars. You can get a lot with that much money, including, maybe, someone to lead a new unified Memphis-Shelby County School District.
The School Board floated that price on Tuesday night as it debated launching a national search for a new superintendent to complement the interest shown by MCS Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash, and SCS Superintendent John Aitken.
One local search executive says that price seems a bit high.
"They are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but I don't see it costing that much," said Eddy Hatcher, President of Management recruiters of Cordova.
Hatcher routinely places top executives in large companies across a variety of industries. He says searches aren't cheap, and you do get what you pay for.
"It is the difference between getting someone who is an average person or that top person, and that top person is well worth whatever that company is going to be paying," he said.
"Because this is a historic merger and decision is being made it could absolutely not be made unilaterally," said Dr. Cash.
Cash, speaking after the board voted not to renew his contract, said he would welcome a national search.
"You got a 4 month window now you can get a lot done, to see who is out there, see what's out there, and then let John [Aitken] and I more or less compete," he said.
The board will weigh launching a search at its next meeting. The price tag could go down if the search just focuses on local candidates.
"For a superintendent, knowing how much the superintendent of schools makes here in Memphis, it shouldn't cost a million dollars," said Hatcher.
