New Head of School Appointments - Discussion for Independent School Boards and Board Chairs (Copy)

In this podcast episode, Pete Commons, attorney at Commons & Commons LLP, shares his extensive experience negotiating head of school contracts, emphasizing the importance of early legal involvement, understanding governance context, and strategic negotiation practices. This session offers practical insights for school boards and heads to navigate contract negotiations effectively.

Keywords
school head contracts, negotiation, legal advice, governance, employment law, education leadership, contract strategy, safe harbor, compensation benchmarking

Key topics
Importance of early legal involvement in HOS contracts
Governance context and strategic purpose of HOS contracts
Negotiation process and key considerations
Compensation and safe harbor analysis
Effective communication and partnership with candidates

Sound bites
"Get a good lawyer and involve them early."
"Most heads won't accept at-will employment."
"Get legal and search experts talking early."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Head of School Contract Negotiation
2:56 Governance Context and Importance of Contracts
05:47 The Search Process and Role of Legal Counsel
09:02 Negotiation Dynamics and Common Mistakes
11:52 Compensation Structures and Term Sheets
15:12 Safe Harbor Analysis and Legal Considerations
17:54 Understanding Candidate Expectations
20:52 The Role of Housing in Negotiations
24:10 Final Thoughts on Hiring a Lawyer