Search firm, BR2, aided in search for North Allegheny superintendent
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The search for a new North Allegheny school superintendent was guided by a local consulting firm, BR2, made up of two fellows of the Pittsburgh-based Grable Foundation, Dr. Billie Rondinelli and Dr. Bart Rocco.
“They are locally based, which has proven very beneficial in their accessibility. They have not worked with NA before but are well-known by educational leaders in the area,” said North Allegheny School Board Vice President Marcie Crow.
Neither Rondinelli nor Rocco responded to the Tribune- Review’s request for information about themselves and their educational background.
Rondinelli is a former superintendent at South Fayette School District from 2009 to 2018, according to Patrick Harrigan, director of communications there.
A LinkedIn account lists Rocco as the retired superintendent of the Elizabeth Forward School District.
BR2’s consulting fee was $12,000, which NA School Board President Libby Blackburn said was the lowest of three search firms.
“It was our priority to conduct the superintendent search in a professional, efficient, and transparent manner,” said NA school director Dr. Vidya Szymkowiak. “To this end, the board elected to retain the services of a search consultant to (first) solicit key stakeholder input via focus groups and (second) coordinate the logistics of the application and interview process.”
The school district received 31 applications for the superintendent’s job, which board Director Richard McClure said was double the number of applicants from NA’s last superintendent search.
“As a local firm they were aware of the talented individuals throughout the region who were also able to identify quality candidates from as far away as Texas and Florida,” McClure said.
BR2 conducted in-person groups and one virtual focus group throughout May with the NA community and staff, taking the feedback to the school board. School board Director Paige Hardy said the groups were capped at 30 people.
Blackburn and McClure each had experience working with consultants during the past three superintendent searches, and they called BR2’s performance the best by far.
“I am amazed and very pleased at the work they did,” Blackburn said.
The Grable Foundation is focused on improving the lives of children and youth with a focus on Southwestern Pennsylvania.