news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Five weeks after Guilford County School Superintendent Terry Grier announced he was a candidate for a job in San Diego, it is still unclear whether he will be heading west.

San Diego school board trustees meet in closed-door sessions to discuss their superintendent search two times this week, and plan to meet in again next week.

But so far they have not disclosed whether they are in negotiations with a candidate, or if Grier is their top choice to lead the 135,000-pupil district.

Grier has not returned phone calls for comment this week.

Grier is one of only two superintendents to admit he applied for the job at the eighth largest urban school district in the country. A Tennessee superintendent also announced he was in the running.

But Grier appears to be the only candidate to get a personal visit from the San Diego school board.

In early December, two San Diego school trustees visited Guilford county to meet with parents, principals, and school administrators about Grier.

A day later, Grier announced he was in the running for the job, although he said he was not unhappy with his current position.

Since then, San Diego school board members have scheduled seven closed meetings to discuss their superintendent search. But the trustees have not disclosed where they are in the process of candidate hunt

Board chairwoman Katherine Nakamura said she can’t divulge what the board has been up to without hurting their search.

She couldn’t say whether they were close to reaching a deal with a candidate or not.

The same night Grier announced his candidacy, he met with Guilford County school board members in a closed session to discuss a personnel issue.

If the school board wants to offer Grier more money or benefits or an extended contract to entice him to stay in North Carolina, the board would have to do so in an open meeting.

Grier’s contract in Guilford County expires in 2010. With salary and benefits, he will earn $372,000 this year.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com.