The first step of the search for a new Clarksdale Municipal School District superintendent is underway.
Current superintendent Dennis Dupree announced in December he would retire at the end of the school year.
During its Feb. 21 meeting, the school board looked at two options to begin the search for a replacement and unanimously voted to have a complete search with the help of the Mississippi School Board Association. The other option was an abridged search.
Discussion was short as both options were provided in detail in the board packet.
“If you haven’t already, please take time to look them over,” said board president H. Clay Stillions.
“I move that we accept option 2, the complete search,” replied board secretary Delores S. Harris.
The vote followed Harris’ recommendation.
In the complete search, the CMSD will pay the MSBA $10,500, plus all travel, lodging, meals, printing, telephone and other costs associated with the search. A $4,000 payment will be payable when preparation of the search is completed. The final contract payment of $2,500 will be due at the conclusion of the search when the MSBA presents its final recommendations.
According to a MSBA report, a complete superintendent search includes interviewing each candidate and conducting stakeholder meetings within the district. Those things are not included in an abridged or abbreviated search. An announcement brochure is developed and the position is advertised in a complete search, but that does not occur in an abbreviated search.
A complete search is broken into five sections.
The first is preparation where the MSBA meets with the school board, establishes the criteria and qualifications for the position, assists the school board in establishing a timetable and conducts stakeholder meetings within the district.
The recruitment process is the next step where the MSBA prepares an application form and announcement brochure, advertises the position, contacts applicants and operates a Prospective Superintendent Leadership Academy.
The selection process is the next step where the MSBA will process each application, evaluate them, conduct reference checks, present the board a comprehensive summary report and provide sample questions.
Additional services are the next steps where the MSBA will assist the board in the preparation of a contract and conduct a workshop with the board and new superintendent. If there is not an acceptable candidate, the MSBA will conduct an additional search.
The board will be responsible for providing the MSBA with names of any prospective candidates for the position, making the final selection and notifying the MSBA of candidates not selected as superintendent.
