Updated: July 31, 5:27 p.m. The Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees will meet Aug. 2 to select between two third-party search firms, Texas Association of School Board's Executive Search Services and Education Solutions & Services' Search Services, to lead the search for a new district superintendent, according to a July 31 press release. Additionally, the board has set a tentative timeline for the selection of an interim superintendent, with interviews scheduled to take place on either Aug. 15 or 21, the release said, depending on which search firm is chosen. Original post: July 30, 2019, 12:12 p.m. Following the July 25 news that Dripping Springs ISD superintendent Bruce Gearing had been named the sole finalist to fill the superintendent vacancy at Leander ISD, Dripping Springs ISD trustees began consideration of third-party firms to execute the search process to find Gearing’s replacement at a July 30 meeting. The board of trustees heard pitches from representatives of two third-party search firms, Texas Association of School Board’s Executive Search Services, and Education Solutions & Services’ Search Services (EDSAS). Marian Strauss presented on behalf of TASB ESS, which conducted DSISD’s last superintendent search in 2012. Strauss noted that the individual selected from that search—Gearing—had stayed with DSISD longer than the average Texas superintendent, who stays 4.3 years. “For you to have Bruce here for seven years is a real testament to the good things you have going on here,” Strauss said. Strauss emphasized that she expected a deep pool of applicants for the position, which she said would come from a 90-120 day national search if TASB ESS were chosen for the task. She also said her organization strongly preferred to conduct a confidential search to protect the identities of applicants who are serving other districts. Trustee Joanna Day questioned whether an open search might be appropriate, considering input the board had received from district parents who wanted insight into the process. Strauss said that while TASB ESS was willing to conduct an open search if the board so chose, a non-confidential process would likely discourage qualified candidates from applying. However, both she and the EDSAS representative said that community engagement would be an important first step in the process. Bill Tarleton presented on behalf of EDSAS. Like Strauss, he emphasized the importance of a confidential process, and said his organization had never conducted an open search process. He also said that EDSAS would conduct a national search if that were the board’s preference, but said he believed Texas would produce the strongest applications. “We want this to be a very difficult decision for you. And I mean that in a good way,” Tarleton said. Both Strauss and Tarleton said they would assist the board in the selection of an interim superintendent to serve during the search process. The board did not choose a search firm at the meeting. Board president Carrie Kroll said the official selection would take place closer to Aug. 15, which is the projected date of Gearing’s official hire by LISD, when the state-mandated 21-day waiting period after naming a finalist has elapsed.