ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Hollandale is a close-knit Delta community located along Mississippi Highway 12 in Washington County, with a population of approximately 2,100 residents. The community is deeply rooted in tradition, pride, and strong relationships, with public schools serving as a central source of unity and identity. Education is valued as a shared responsibility, and community support for students, educators, and schools remains a defining strength.

Hollandale has a rich legacy of producing individuals whose influence has reached well beyond the Mississippi Delta. Notable natives include former NBA player Larry Smith, blues musician Sam Chatmon, and professional football player Charles Country Davis. The community is also recognized on the Mississippi Blues Trail with a marker honoring Sam Chatmon and on the Mississippi Country Music Trail with a marker dedicated to songwriter Ben Peters, whose work produced multiple number-one country music hits and earned induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.The community has also produced nationally recognized leaders and achievers, including Olympic gold medalist Ulis Williams, winner of the 1964 Olympic gold medal in the 4 × 400-meter relay, and Patricia Coats Jessamy, former State’s Attorney for Baltimore, Maryland.

Hollandale schools reflect a proud educational heritage. T.R. Sanders Elementary School is named for Thomas Roosevelt Sanders, the district’s first African American superintendent. Sanders organized Hollandale’s first Head Start program and played a pivotal role in recruiting the community’s first industry, catfish processing, helping to strengthen local economic development. Simmons High School is named for Emory Peter “E. P.” Simmons, an educator who served the Hollandale School District for 52 years and left a lasting legacy of dedication to public education.

Hollandale offers the advantages of a small, supportive environment where relationships matter, community involvement is strong, and schools are embraced as a shared responsibility. This deep sense of pride, history, and collective investment makes Hollandale an inviting community for educational leadership and long-term engagement

MANDATORY LEGAL CRITERIA

• Must meet criteria outlined in MS Code 37-9-13.

Student Achievement

• Has served as a principal of an “A” or “B” school for three years; five years preferred
• Evidence of a recent documented track record of raising the achievement level of all students
• Evidence of an in-depth knowledge of and hands-on experience with the MS Accountability System
• Evidence of the ability to use data to improve student achievement 
• Evidence of decision-making focused on student outcomes, student needs, and student well-being
• Knowledge of strategic planning, including development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting
• Understands and has successful experience with students from poverty settings

Communication and School/District Climate

• Skill as an effective communicator, including speaking, listening, writing, and technology
• Ability to develop a climate of trust/openness with all stakeholders
• Has experience working in a rural school district
• Ability to develop a formal process for communicating with all stakeholders, including the board members
• Has experience with successful consensus building
• Has experience in developing a climate of high expectations and accountability
• Demonstrates concern for all students

Community and Stakeholder Relations

• Willingness to maintain an open-door policy with all stakeholder groups to benefit students and the district
• Is committed to being active and visible in the schools and in the community

Leadership

• Willingness to and ability to work cooperatively with the school board members and to keep them informed
• Uses a team-management approach
• Experience with MS laws related to curriculum and instruction, special education, human resources, operations, and finances
• Has a strong commitment to pursue academic innovations for all grade levels
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems
• Has highest moral and ethical standards of conduct; is honest and transparent
• Evidence of a strong work ethic

Personnel

• Ability to recruit, retain, and invest in the development of highly qualified personnel
• Ability to develop a positive rapport, while providing strong leadership to administrators, teachers, and other school personnel



Financial

• Has successful experience in school finance to include budgeting, financial decision-making, monitoring, and reporting
• A strong knowledge of career and technical education and its funding avenues

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 16, 2026

START DATE

The start date for the new superintendent will be determined by the board once the candidate is selected.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please be prepared to upload the following documents (PDF) into the application system:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Valid Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Administrator License
• Current School District Employment Contract

To create your profile and begin the application process,

click the "Apply Now!" button.

MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

Denotris R. Jackson, Ed. D, Executive Director

380 Zurich Drive │ Ridgeland, MS 39157 │ 601-924-2001 │  msbaonline.org