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

The Wayne County School District is seeking an innovative and data-driven educational leader who has a proven record of raising student achievement, who has current, hands-on experience with the Mississippi accountability system, and who has demonstrated the ability to develop positive relationships with all stakeholder groups.

The Wayne County School District (WCSD), a B-rated district, serves approximately 2,800 students in grades PreK–12 across rural southeast Mississippi. The community enjoys the quiet pace of small-town life while remaining within easy reach of Hattiesburg, Biloxi, and New Orleans.

WCSD is committed to providing a safe environment and a high-quality education that prepares students for success in life and the workforce. The district maintains a 1:1 technology initiative, offers strong professional development, and provides regular Continuing Education opportunities to support teacher growth.

Guided by traditional values, the district focuses on six goals: Academic Success, Effective Staff, Positive School Culture, Family and Community Engagement, Infrastructure, and Facilities.

WCSD emphasizes academic excellence, innovation, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all students have access to rigorous learning experiences and supportive school environments.

With a welcoming community, dedicated staff, and a clear vision for continuous improvement, the Wayne County School District offers a strong foundation for future leadership.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Wayne County lies in the heart of Mississippi's Pine Belt region. It is the fifth largest county in Mississippi by area and has an estimated population of 19,749. The county has the distinct advantage of being a mostly rural area with close proximity to numerous metropolitan areas in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Waynesboro, the county seat, serves as the retail and cultural hub. The citizens of Wayne County are great supporters of its schools. This support is evidenced not only through attendance at extracurricular events, but also through donations of time and money.

Wayne General Hospital provides full emergency, out-patient, and specialty medical services to the community in addition to a wellness center and lighted outdoor walking track. The Waynesboro-Wayne County Library is a state of the art library offering a wide range of community-based service. The Wayne County Museum, located on the square, features, historic and military memorabilia. Maynor Creek Water Park, a 1,320 acre recreational site, offers fishing, boating, swimming, and camping areas for Wayne County visitors and residents.

The county has numerous churches, civic, social and service organizations, youth basketball, softball, baseball and soccer fields, and special events throughout the year. Hood industries, manufacturers and distributors of wood products, recently announced a $245 million dollar expansion for the Wayne County location. Wayne County offers all of the conveniences of a larger urban area with the charm and tranquility of a smaller community.

MANDATORY LEGAL CRITERIA

Candidates will be evaluated on their professional merits, with emphasis on the following criteria:

• Holds a valid Mississippi administrator license or eligibility to obtain one
• Holds a Master's degree in school administration/leadership or advanced degree
• Meets Mississippi Legal Requirements: Has served the last five years, or has classroom or administrative experience of not less than six years which shall include at least three years of administrative experience as a school building principal in a school (1) with an "A" or "B" accountability rating, (2) that increased its accountability rating by a letter grade during the period at the school, or (3) in another stare with a comparable accountability rating or improvement as verified by the Mississippi Department of Education, or (4) meets Alternative Superintendent Licensure Qualifications for Non-Education Candidates as posted on Mississippi Department of Education Licensure website.

QUALIFICATIONS DEFINED BY THE BOARD

Student Achievement

• Has served as a principal for a minimum of three years in an “B” school; five years of experience preferred
• Evidence of a recent documented track record of raising the achievement level of ALL students
• Experience in a diverse school district
• Understanding of the challenges of a rural school district
• Evidence of the ability to use data to improve student achievement
• Has a strong commitment to pursue academic innovations for all grade levels
• Is an advocate for students
• Knowledge of strategic planning, including development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting
• Has a strong commitment to support student extra-curricular activities, including athletics, band, the arts, and school-level events

Career Technical

• Has experience with innovative approaches to workforce development  
• A strong knowledge of career and technical education and its funding avenues

Budget and Finance

• Has successful experience in school finance to include budgeting, monitoring, and reporting

Personnel

•  Ability to recruit, retain, and invest in the development of highly qualified personnel
• Uses a team management approach
• Ability to develop a positive rapport, while providing strong leadership to administrators, teachers, and other school personnel
• Has experience in developing a climate of high expectations and accountability

Community and Stakeholder Relations

• Willingness to be visible in the schools and in the classrooms on a regular basis
• Ability to develop a climate of trust/openness with all stakeholders
• Willingness to maintain an open-door policy with all stakeholder groups to benefit students and the district
• Ability to engage parents and community stakeholders in the life of the school
•  Will be visible and active in the community; including civic and business partnerships

Communication

• Ability to develop a formal process for communicating with stakeholders, including the board members
• Is honest and transparent; has high moral and ethical standards of conduct; has a strong work ethic
• Skill as an effective communicator, including speaking, listening, writing, and technology

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 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

Applicants should not contact the Wayne County School District Board of Trustees directly.

To create your profile and begin the application process,

click the "Apply Now!" button.

MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

Dr. Denotris R. Jackson, Executive Director

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