Why the secrecy in CR superintendent search?

Why does the Cedar Rapids school board follow a closed-to-the-public process in selecting a new school superintendent? I refer to the advisory meetings that were by invitation only, and the search that was conducted in secret. Does it have anything to do with the new superintendent's previous school system? The Grand Island, Nebraska public school system boasted of its students having 43 percent proficiency in mathematics and reading (below average even in Nebraska) and a graduation rate of 83% (per niche.com and publicschoolreview.com).

Perhaps with the new superintendent’s expertise, within a few years Cedar Rapids students may also be at the 43 percent level of proficiency, rather than the 65 percent at present. Why does The Gazette meekly submit to these school board secrecy shenanigans?

Daniel McGrail

Cedar Rapids

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