Cedar Rapids school board to start search for new superintendent

The Cedar Rapids school board will meet Monday to begin the search for a new superintendent, according to a meeting agenda released Friday.

According to the agenda, board members will discuss releasing retiring superintendent David Benson from the remaining two years of his contract, approving a proposal from a search firm, and additional planning for the search.

Board president Mary Meisterling said this week that she has reached out for a search proposal to the Chicago-based search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, which the district used in its last two superintendent searches.

Meisterling said the board also will reconsider candidates who applied for the job when Benson was hired, and depending on the interest of internal or local candidates, it might not conduct a national search.

She declined to name any possible candidates.

The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Monday in the district's board room at the Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Road NW, Cedar Rapids.