Supt. Search Could Top $20,000

With the search for a superintendent set to kick off, the city could be looking at a bill of over $20,000.

Three firms are vying for the contract to find a full-time superintendent for the district following Anthony Pope's resignation. The school committee met to hear proposals from all three Tuesday.

The committee has yet to discuss the companies, but their fees were part of the proposals distributed to committee members.

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• Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates — $22,500.

In the proposal to the committee, the company estimates additional consultant expenses would cost $2,500. The additional expenses relating to search advertisement, interview expenses, and travel expenses of the candidates and Committee will be the committee's responsibility.

• Future Management Systems, Inc — $19,500 plus expenses.

Additional expenses for this company include travel, advertising, copies, postage and materials. If the search goes beyond the scope of the proposal the additional cost will be $187 an hour or $1,496 a day.

• New England School Development Council — $4,150 plus additional for "Fee-Based Options"

This company, which is based out of Marlborough, has offered the district a reduced price from their usual $12,992 fee for districts associated with NESDC. However, there is added cost for additional items that are covered in the flat fee of the other company's proposals (such as additional focus groups for $365 each).

No matter which company is chosen, the district is set to spend more than $100,000 in replacing Pope. Pope was paid .

The committee will discuss the consultants at an upcoming meeting.