Superintendent Search News Release

Superintendent Search News Release - February 6, 2020

The Lincoln County School District Board contracted with the Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) to assist in the search for the first appointed superintendent of the Lincoln County School District.

A brochure advertising the superintendent vacancy and outlining the basic qualifications for the superintendent, which were set by the Board, was prepared by MSBA and was posted online at the MSBA website with the application on November 1, 2019. Dr. Mike Waldrop, Executive Director of MSBA, sent an email to over 5,000 people on the MSBA mailing list announcing the search and requesting assistance in publicizing the vacancy. He also wrote personal letters to possible applicants. The vacancy announcement was sent to the National School Boards Association, which posted it on their website.  All inquiries to MSBA regarding the position were answered, and a brochure outlining the procedures to apply for the position was sent to each. Telephone and email responses were made to those who had been recommended or who had expressed an interest in the position.

The deadline to receive applications was set as December 6, 2019. All completed applications which were postmarked on or before the deadline were accepted and processed.

 Three stakeholder meetings, led by Dr. Tommye Henderson, MSBA Superintendent Search Consultant, were held on August 15, 2019, for principals and district office staff, for teachers and school staff, and for parents, business leaders, and community members. An online survey was made available to the district's stakeholder groups, including teachers, administrators, parents, and community /business members. Results from all surveys were compiled by MSBA and provided to the Board members for use in the interview process and as a foundation for making the decision as to who will be the new superintendent.

There were 10 applicants for the superintendent position. Mrs. Denotris Jackson, MSBA Assistant Executive Director, and Dr. Tommye Henderson met with the Board to review the applications on February 6, 2020. Among the applicants are three superintendents, one assistant superintendent, one director, four principals, and one manager of a business. Three of the applicants have a doctorate degree. Seven of the applicants are male, and three of the applicants are female. Nine of the applicants are from Mississippi, and one is from Utah.

Each application was reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated according to the established criteria, and references were checked. Applicants who had not previously been interviewed by the MSBA search team were interviewed in the MSBA office in Ridgeland or through a video or telephone interview.

Reference letters for each applicant were received. Telephone calls and personal contacts were made to gain additional information about each applicant. A determination was also made as to whether each applicant met the qualifications to be a superintendent in Mississippi as defined in the Mississippi Code o/1972, 37-9-13, which went into effect on July 1, 2017 or met the Mississippi Department of Education Alternative Qualifications for Prospective District Superintendents of Education.

The Board members received the report and all application materials. Board members will use the report and materials to determine the next course of action.