Board, consultant and HR clarify reference and background-check procedures for finalists

The board clarified who will conduct reference and criminal-background checks for superintendent finalists.

Consultant John Silveri said he would conduct objective reference checks and report any concerning findings to the board: "If there is anything concerning that comes out of there at all, whatsoever, I'm gonna share that with you," he said.

HR director Walmsley explained that fingerprint-based background checks are performed by the district and are done when a candidate accepts an offer of employment, not as part of the consultant's reference work. "We send candidates to get fingerprinted upon their acceptance of an offer of employment," she said. Board members debated whether to run criminal-background checks before interviews but the prevailing position was to reserve fingerprinting for candidates who receive offers and let the consultant handle reference checks earlier in the process.

The board also discussed logistical steps to ensure references are not overwhelmed by multiple simultaneous calls and confirmed the consultant will run the formal checks listed in the applications and report results back to the board.