Rockwood Consultants' Contracts Secured

A representative of Rockwood schools said Friday that of 93 applications received for two open administrative positions this summer, a total of six people were interviewed, including two who had previously done consulting work for the district, and who ultimately were hired.

Patch secured copies of the consulting contracts between  representatives and Nancy DuBois and Randy Smasal, as well as their expenses from earlier this school year following readers' requests. DuBois and Smasal did consulting work for the school district late this year, each earning $30,600 for 17 days of consulting, reports said, which was earned atop existing full-time positions.

Readers requested the information after  for hiring DuBois and Smasal. DuBois was named the district's executive director of learning and support services, while Smasal will be the associate superintendent of learning. Both worked with Borchers worked together at a school district in Minnesota. 

Representatives of the Rockwood School District said that of the 40 candidates for the previously-available associate superintendent job, three were interviewed. Of the 53 candidates for the executive director of learning, three also were interviewed. Travel expenses for out-of-state candidates only were reimbursed by the district, and only if those candidates were hired. Both DuBois and Smasal were hired from outside Missouri.

Rockwood Board of Education vice president Janet Strate said standard contracts for superintendents in Missouri is three years. Board president Steve Smith said Borchers' original contract was for three years, which includes an annual salary of $230,000. "A year into that contract, it was extended for a year, leaving it at three years," he said.

Borchers posted a letter on the district website Thursday addressing the issue of the recent hires and related consulting work.

(Editor's Note: The consulting contracts are available to the right as PDF files.)