News Photo by Charles Madison The Hillman Community Schools Board of Education discusses the search for a superintendent during a meeting on Tuesday.

HILLMAN — In a special meeting Tuesday, the Hillman Community Schools Board of Education voted to hire the Michigan Association of School Boards to aid the district in its search for a full-time superintendent.

Board members weighed the pros and cons of taking on the task themselves and ultimately decided to hire MASB by a 5-2 vote.

Board President Kelly Burwell emphasized transparency within the community as an issue the board must consider, but expressed concern at the lack of experienced candidates in the Hillman area.

“MASB has a greater resource capacity,” Burwell said.

Outgoing interim superintendent Pamela Rader was in attendance and recommended the board seek a candidate who will have some longevity, addressing the board’s concern that a qualified candidate would move to a larger district after a few years.

“The staff has been through a lot,” Rader said. “They need someone who will be here for a while, someone who is not working for their next job.”

Hillman has been under Rader’s leadership since the resignation of Carl Seiter last winter.

Seiter served as dual superintendent for Hillman and Atlanta Community Schools, leaving both districts without executive leadership during the second semester of the 2021-22 school year.

Hillman hired Rader through June, while Atlanta hired Tony Suszek to fill the position for Atlanta Community Schools. Last month, Suszek signed on as Atlanta superintendent for two more years, alongside assistant superintendent Susan Grulke.

MASB charges a fee of $5,000 for its candidate search and offers an assistance grant for up to $1,500. The Hillman board will meet for a special budget hearing and regular board meeting on Tuesday, June 14.