Marion Independent chooses Cedar Rapids firm for superintendent search

The Marion Independent School District's board Monday chose Cedar Rapids-based Ray and Associates to assist with its search for a new superintendent, board president David Law said.

The board did not set a timeline for the search, but Law expects to meet with Ray and Associates later this week to finalize the agreement.

Law said he hopes to choose a new superintendent in mid-April.

'I would think that would be a reasonable timeline, but there's nothing guaranteed,” he said.

Superintendent Sarah Pinion announced her retirement earlier this month. The board Monday accepted her resignation effective June 30.

Law said he did not have any specific candidates in mind, but the board's consensus was to 'throw open and cast the nets wide.”

One Marion administrator, Assistant Superintendent Greg Thomas, has the license needed to be a superintendent, Law said.

Law said the board has not yet decided whether to conduct a confidential search, but he said there would be ample oportunities for input from stakeholders.

'We'll involve the community quite heavily in the interview process and the final screening,” Law said.

Pinion said the district has used Ray and Associates before, including in the search that led to her hire in 2009.