The Columbus Board of Education approved an agreement Tuesday with the out-of-state search firm taking applications for the post of superintendent, with the names to be kept secret except for those recommended and forwarded by the firm.
The agreement between the district and BWP & Associates, of Libertyville, Illinois, states that all documents produced or received by the firm will remain its property, except those turned over to the board “relating to candidates recommended by the consultants at the time the recommendation is made.”
But the agreement also instructs BWP that “state public records and (the) Sunshine Law will be observed and the consultants will provide information in compliance with these laws.”
The work will cost $25,000 plus expenses.
Last week, The Dispatch filed a state public records request with BWP for the applications of at least 15 candidates the firm said had applied or had begun the process of applying.
Since then, the firm has hired Columbus attorney Larry James to represent it in records request, James said Tuesday.