BUSD - RFP Superintendent Search Consultants (2026)

Location:	California
Posted:	Jan 30, 2026
Due:	Feb 10, 2026
Agency:	Bassett Unified School District
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	80 - Brushes, Paints, Sealers, and Adhesives
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Proposals

From Executive Search Firms

For the Position of

District Superintendent

Deadline for Submittal: February 10, 2026

Bassett Unified School District

Request for Proposals and Qualifications

Executive Search Firm for Superintendent of Schools Search

The Bassett Unified School District (the “District”) invites the submission of proposals from

qualified consulting firms to provide Executive Search Consultant Services for the position of

Superintendent. The Board of Education of the District (the “Board”) intends to engage the selected

firm for the period of time necessary to conduct a thorough search and select the best qualified

candidate. The Board further intends to employ a selected candidate as the District’s

Superintendent effective as of July 1, 2026.

Response to the Request for Proposals and Qualifications must be submitted via email to

tleenolasco@bassettusd.org by no later than 4 p.m. on February 10, 2026. Proposals received

after the date and time indicated above will not be considered. Faxed proposals will not be

accepted. Proposals must contain all required information to be considered responsive. Untimely

or incomplete proposals will not be accepted or considered.

PROCEDURE FOR CONSULTANT SEARCH FIRM SELECTION

A committee of the Board will screen Consultant proposals and determine whether the Board will

interview specific firms. In the event interviews are held, selected Consultants will be invited to

present their proposal to the Board at an open public meeting on or about FEBRUARY 24, 2026.

Regardless of whether the Board elects to interview Consultants, the Board will select a Consultant

at that public meeting and expects Consultant to commence work immediately thereafter.

Please note that Consultant’s cost for preparation of the proposal and any interview expenses will

be borne by the Consultant.

I. Scope of Requested Services

The basic scope of services may include the following:

1. Oversee all aspects of the recruitment process, including handling the logistics as

directed by the Board;

2. Work with the Board to develop a plan and timeline for the search to complete the

selection process in time to employ a Superintendent effective July 1, 2026;

3. Meet with the Board as needed to ensure a high quality search process; Review the

position requirements and assess Board priorities, goals, and objectives in order to

assist the Board in determining and articulating criteria and qualifications necessary

for selecting a Superintendent;

4. Facilitate the process for Board Members, District staff, and various District

stakeholder input and community engagement;

5. Prepare and distribute materials as necessary to advertise the position; Advertise

and conduct a search that generates a diversified pool of highly qualified

candidates, including women and people of color, through a comprehensive

outreach;

6. Coordinate and facilitate the Board’s interview process, with Consultant in

attendance;

7. Maintain communication with candidates and respond to candidate inquiries and

requests for information, as appropriate;

8. Assist the Board in narrowing down the list of finalists by screening, evaluating,

and ranking qualified applicants. Unqualified candidates will be eliminated from

the list of interview candidates. Provide a report on each applicant using criteria

established by the Board;

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9. Conduct reference and background checks on all interviewees, as required,

including extensive reference checks on all finalists;

10. Assist the Board and designated negotiator(s) in developing an appropriate

compensation package for the Superintendent that facilitates a successful

recruitment effort;

11. Maintain strict confidentiality throughout the search process, including

confidentiality of applicants as directed by the Board;

12. Perform other Superintendent search related assistance the Board may require.

II. Proposal Content

Interested Executive Search Consultants shall prepare a written proposal that includes the

following information. Responses that do not include this information, or an explanation as to

why the information cannot be provided (ex: “Our firm has been in business for 3 years and does

not have data for past 5 years.”), will be deemed incomplete and not considered for selection:

1. A description or profile of the Consultant, including a statement of qualifications,

describing the type of services the Consultant provides and any other information

or materials the Consultant believes would be helpful to the Board in making its

decision. Consultant must demonstrate its capacity to manage and coordinate the

types of activities to be conducted and to provide the search services in a timely

and satisfactory manner.

2. A detailed summary of services the Consultant proposes to provide the District,

including but not limited to: (a) search process planning, preparation, community

engagement, timelines, and implementation; (b) candidate recruitment; (c)

candidate applications, screening, references, evaluations, and interviews; (d)

candidate appointment; and (e) search closing process.

3. Samples of related materials to identify and engage applicants for the position.

4. A summary of strategies to identify and engage community stakeholders for input

on the selection of a candidate, including development of advertising, brochures,

survey forms, reports, etc.

5. A detailed summary of similar services that Consultant has provided to other school

districts locally and statewide. Summary to include details such as time duration,

number of candidates, and strategies, and a list of references, including name,

address, telephone number, email address, and contact person for Consultant’s five

most recently completed Superintendent searches for Districts of similar or larger

size.

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6. Describe any contacts or relationships Consultant has, is seeking, or has had with

any other school districts in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. Also,

describe any current or previous familial, professional or business relationships

with any Bassett Unified School District board members, administrators and

employees.

7. Professional qualifications of Consultant’s principals, employees, and consultants,

if any, who will render services to the District.

8. A detailed description and breakdown of any and all fees and estimated expenses

to be charged to the District, including a listing and breakdown of fees and expenses

for any optional services.

9. A description of the guarantee provided by the Consultant for completion of a

successful search.

10. A detailed description of Consultant’s insurance coverage. Proof will be required

upon selection.

11. A sample consultant agreement for the Board to consider.

12. Detailed information regarding any searches during the last five years that did not

result in the selection of a candidate under the original estimated time frame or that

resulted in the release of the Superintendent within 18 months of being employed.

13. Identify whether the Consultant has been terminated by any district, had any claims

asserted against it, or been subject to litigation during the last five years. If so,

describe in detail.

III. Qualifications

The selected firm must have experience in conducting a successful search (selection of a candidate

and acceptance of a position, as facilitated by your firm) for a Superintendent of Schools. If a firm

does not have such experience or does not submit information in the proposal regarding this

qualification, the proposal may be deemed non-responsive and may be eliminated from further

consideration.

IV. Submittal Instructions and Guidelines

The response to this Request for Proposals and Qualifications must be submitted via email to

Tomiko Lee-Nolasco, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, tleenolasco@bassettusd.org

no later than 4 p.m. on February 10, 2026.

Proposals received after the date and time indicated above will not be considered. Faxed proposals

will not be accepted. Proposals must contain all required information to be considered responsive.

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V. Evaluation of Proposals

Each proposal shall be submitted with the understanding that it will be evaluated by the Board of

Education to determine which proposal best serves the needs and interests of the District, and the

Board will select a consultant upon that evaluation.

The Bassett Unified School District observes federal, state, and local laws as well as regulations

in regard to equity and equal opportunity.

VI. Additional Information

Should a Consultant require additional information with regard to the services requested in the

Request for Proposal, the Consultant should contact: Tomiko Lee-Nolasco, Assistant

Superintendent, Human Resources, at tleenolasco@bassettusd.org or (626) 931-3018.

This solicitation shall not be construed in any manner to be an obligation by the District to enter

into an agreement with any proposer. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

The District may negotiate the terms of the contract with the selected firm prior to entering into a

contract.

The District reserves the right to revise this request. If the District cancels or revises this request,

all respondents will be notified. The District will not be obligated to pay or reimburse respondents

for any fees or costs relating to the cancellation or revision of this proposal. The District reserves

the right to extend the date proposals are due.

Proposals and any other information submitted in response to this document shall become the

property of the District. Notwithstanding any indication by responder of confidential contents, and

with the exception of lawfully bona fide confidential information, the contents of proposals are

public documents and will be subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act.

The District will not provide compensation for any expenses incurred for any proposal preparation

or for any demonstration that may be made. Firms submit proposals at their own risk and expense.

Proposers are not to contact District staff or members of the Board of Education about this

document or the consultant selection process except for Tomiko Lee-Nolasco, Assistant

Superintendent, Human Resources, as permitted by this document. Any proposers who violate this

request will be disqualified from further consideration.

VII. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Bassett Unified School District (BUSD) is a public K–12 school district located in La Puente,

California, serving the educational needs of a diverse suburban community in eastern Los Angeles

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

BUSD - RFP Superintendent Search Consultants (2026)

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