The Italy School Board of Trustees approved in a split decision to hire Rick Cohagan to work with the board in the superintendent search.

Cohagan, an Italy High School graduate, spent 30 years with the Gunter ISD, serving three years as principal and 27 years as superintendent.

Introducing himself, Cohagan said the late George Scott, former ISD superintendent, got him into the education field.

Naming most of his former teachers at Italy, Cohagan said the late W.R. Gorman, agriculture teacher, was one of the finest men he has ever known.

Following graduation, Cohagan said he attended Navarro College on a football and basketball scholarship. He wanted to be a coach and teacher but his father advised against that route. Instead, Cohagan majored in business at the University of North Texas.

Although Cohagan said he did not like the business world, he said it did assist him with school finance.

In mid 1970, he said Scott contacted Cohagan to serve as a coach. He got emergency certification and worked his way up to superintendent. He was named Administrator of the Year for Texas in 2002.

Cohagan explained to the board that they needed a superintendent that grew up in a small town, went to school in a small town or that works in a small school. He said his firm and the school board should have a partnership and that he would be with them throughout the process and beyond as needed.

To begin, Cohagan said the board needs to develop a profile for the qualities and characteristics they are searching for in an administrator. He said school personnel and administrators should be included in the discussion.

Once the profile is established, he said his firm will recruit and advertise for the position, which includes the profile established by the board. He said all school districts seek several similar characteristics/qualities in a superintendent, one that can communicate, can handle finance, takes care of the facilities, is a disciplinarian and a people person. The profile can also contain the salary range, the length of contract and other pertinent information.

His firm will go over the resumes and narrow down the field as specified by the board. He said they will check references and will interview people other than references on the resumes.
Continuing, Cohagan said he will notify unsuccessful candidates, will assist with press releases and will schedule whatever the board might recommend for the successful applicant to meet the public.

Once a lone finalist is named, he said the board will have 21 days before that person is officially named superintendent. He stressed the need for the board to be unified in their choice of superintendent.

He urged the board not to try to rush through the process noting that most good applicants are under contract until the middle of the year. He said mid to late April might be a good time line to complete the search.

Cohagan’s bid for the process was considerably less than that of the Executive Search Services of Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).

“I am not going to make any money. I love Italy,” Cohagan said, “and I really want to help you.”

Following a two-hour meeting with representatives from both firms and 50-minute executive session, the board voted to go with Cohagan. Tommy Morrison was the lone vote against the motion.