Superintendent Search: Oxford School District

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Oxford School District

Superintendent Search

The Mississippi School Boards Association is currently conducting the Superintendent Search for the Oxford School District.

The Oxford School District is seeking an experienced, accomplished, forward-thinking leader who can sustain Oxford’s tradition of academic excellence while positioning the district for continued success in a rapidly changing educational and community environment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Highly competitive compensation, including salary, health benefits, and other incentives will be offered to the successful candidate.

About the District

DISTRICT DATA

District Rating: A
Number of Certified Employees: 443
Number of Classified Employees: 279
Teachers with Advanced Degrees: 180
National Board Certifications: 92
Graduation Rate: 89.86%
Number of Students as of 9/1/2026: 4569
Average ACT: 21
Base Per Pupil Expenditure: $7,201.72
Total Operation Tax Levy: 44.65 mills
Debt Service Tax Levy: 16.86 mills
Operation Budget: 75.5 million
Federal Revenue: 5.5 million
State/Local Revenue: 93.2 million

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Oxford School District, located in Oxford, Mississippi, serves 3K-12th grades with 4600+ students. Recognized annually as an “A” school district by the Mississippi Department of Education, the Oxford School District is one of the premier school districts in the state.

As a high-performing public school district, the Oxford School District is grounded in a tradition of excellence and driven by a commitment to continuous growth. The district serves a community that values education, holds high expectations for its schools, and believes deeply in the potential of every student. Its strength is found not only in academic achievement, but also in the people who make Oxford Schools exceptional—talented educators, dedicated staff, engaged families, supportive community partners, and students who excel in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, and beyond. The result of all working together is a district where opportunity, innovation, belonging, and excellence are expectations rather than exceptions.

VISION

A bold, innovative, and continually improving district; understanding today to prepare students for tomorrow.

MISSION

Empowering all students to become confident and creative builders of the future.

CORE VALUES

Excellence, Opportunity, Service, Support, and Relationships.

Excellence in Teaching

In 2015, the Oxford School District began implementing Standards-Based Learning slowly and methodically to replace the traditional grading system. Traditional grading often measures factors such as homework, extra credit, attendance, behavior, etc. and sometimes compares how well students achieve in relation to their classmates. Standards-based learning measures how well an individual student is achieving in relation to each grade-level standard or skill.

Continuous Improvement

Guided by the district’s vision to be a bold, innovative, and continually improving district, OSD is committed to a systematic approach to continuous improvement. Strategic priorities are aligned across schools and departments through clear scorecard goals, meaningful measures, regular progress monitoring, and ongoing feedback. This approach creates shared accountability, supports informed decision-making, and helps ensure that improvement efforts remain focused on what matters most: stronger outcomes for students, effective support for staff, and continued progress across the district.

About the Community

The rolling hills of North Mississippi are a scenic and charming backdrop for Oxford, a small town with a big city feel. With a population of 26,430, Oxford has been named one of the best places to live in the southeast. Touted as the “Cultural Mecca of the South”, creativity abounds as musicians, artists, and writers alike find inspiration in Oxford’s rich history, small town charm, and innovative community.

Oxford, known as the home of the University of Mississippi and the Ole Miss Rebels, has become a destination for travelers seeking exceptional culinary experiences in the southeast. Its vibrant culture radiates from the historic Square to Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner.

Applicant Criteria & Qualifications

The Superintendent of Education serves as the chief executive officer of the school district and is responsible to the Board of Trustees for ensuring compliance with all board policies and Mississippi State Board of Education rules and regulations, as well as state and federal laws.

Applicants must meet the legal qualifications of having served as a principal in an A or B school. Alternative Qualifications as outlined by the Department of Education for Prospective District Superintendents of Education will not be considered.

MANDATORY LEGAL CRITERIA

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

QUALIFICATIONS DEFINED BY THE BOARD

Education and Professional Experience

Master’s degree required; Doctorate preferred
Has served as superintendent or assistant superintendent in an A or B rated school district
Has 3 – 5 years of successful experience as a building principal in an A or B rated school
Has a proven track record of moving a school or district forward academically, as evidenced by MDE ratings data or education department equivalent data in another state
Possesses experience appropriate for leading a high-performing school district with significant academic, operational, financial, and community expectations

Academic and Instructional Leadership

Demonstrates a strong understanding of teaching, learning, curriculum, assessment, and instructional leadership
Use data to drive decision-making, set goals, monitor progress, and evaluate results
Has experience in improving outcomes for diverse student populations, including struggling learners and students with disabilities

Organizational Leadership

Is able to recruit, select, assign, develop, support, and evaluate high quality staff
Uses a collaborative team-oriented management approach
Demonstrates follow-through and establishes systems that translate goals into measurable results

Relationship Skills

Demonstrates high emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills
Is able to develop and maintain a productive and trusting relationship with the board
Has the ability to develop a climate of trust and openness
Will promote a unified district culture centered on common goals and expectations
Will visit schools and classrooms and attend school events regularly

Communication Skills

Has a process for communicating with board members, administrators, staff, parents, and community members
Possesses effective communication skills, including speaking, listening, writing, and technology
Will provide the board with accurate, complete, timely, and relevant information and reports
Will be approachable, accessible, and responsive

Vision, Strategic Planning, and Continuous Improvement

Is able to develop a vision of where the school district should be in the future and can articulate the vision to all stakeholders
Has experience with strategic planning, long-range planning, goal setting, and monitoring and reporting progress
Understands the critical relationship among academic quality, student experience, customer service, reputation, and family choice

Financial Stewardship

Demonstrates a clear understanding of school finance, budgeting, and financial management and reporting in a complex school district setting
Understands the relationship between financial decisions and instructional priorities
Demonstrates a strong understanding of day-to-day operations

Community Leadership

Must reside in the school district with his/her family
Has experience developing collaborative relationships with local government officials, community organizations, businesses, families, and other stakeholders, both internal and external to the district
Understands the importance of developing a collaborative relationship with the University of Mississippi