ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Just a stone’s throw from some of the Southeast’s most bustling locales and tucked away just beside the De Soto National Forest, Stone County is unlike any small town you’ve visited before. Here, you’ll find great schools, a strong sense of community, and charming hometown values thriving in tandem with a bustling small business scene, huge industry resources – both natural and man-made – and an economic development support system designed to help businesses thrive.

Whether you’re seeking the perfect site to house your next big idea, or simply looking for a place to raise your children right, you’ve come to the right place. Entrepreneurial success and balanced family life can exist side-by-side. They do here in Stone County.

MANDATORY LEGAL CRITERIA

Student Achievement

• Has served as a principal of an “A” or “B” school for three years
• 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
• Is an advocate for students

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
• Is honest and transparent
• Has experience working with diverse populations
• 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

Community and Stakeholder Relations

• Will be a visionary leader committed to maintaining and enhancing the existing strong relationships with local and state officials
• Willingness to maintain an open-door policy with all stakeholder groups to benefit students and the district
• Willingness of superintendent and family to live in the school district
• Is committed to being an 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
• 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
• Has experience with bond elections and facilities construction
• 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 22, 2024.

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