Greene County CSD begins search for new superintendent

By Brandon Hurley
Managing Editor
news@beeherald.com

The Greene County Community School District Board of Directors met in a special session Feb. 2 to discuss the beginning of the search process for a new superintendent.

Tim Christensen, current superintendent, announced he is retiring at the end of the school year. He’s served 15 years in the district.
McPherson & Jacobson Executive Recruitment and Development was hired to guide the school board throughout the superintendent search.

“This is obviously an important hire for the district and for our community,” Greene County school board president Steve Fisher said. “That’s why we’ve engaged a search firm that has a long track record and extensive experience in helping us to identify the traits that our students, staff, and community deem important in the new leader of our school system moving forward.”
The board has zeroed in on four key qualities they hope to stress during the search process. Fisher said being an effective leader is priority No. 1.

“(We want the next superintendent to have) skills in personnel management, communication, and ability to delegate duties while holding those under him accountable for the jobs that are delegated to them,” Fisher said.
The board also would like to enlist a superintendent with strong financial knowledge, anchored by experience within a school district specifically.

“We have the school in a strong financial position and would like to maintain that status,” Fisher said.
The board hopes to employ a leader who is passionate in education with an “extensive background in teaching and learning.” They want to select a person who boasts “documented success in student achievement,” and experience with a career academy.

The final point of emphasis, Fisher said, is finding a superintendent who is a passionate promoter. A person who will connect with the community during a potential influx of new families due to a shortage of workers is a must.

“This will require strong working relationships and experience with diversity, public relations, and community outreach,” Fisher said. “A strong school system will be a magnet for our whole community.”
The firm of McPherson & Jacobson will meet with several different groups – including students, administrators, faculty, support staff, parents and community members – throughout the day of Wednesday, Feb. 16 to collect data on what they’d like to see in the next superintendent.

The hiring firm and the Greene County School District hosted a public meeting Wednesday, Feb. 16 in the middle school auditorium, at 101 Ram Drive. This time was used to gather more info in regards to important superintendent qualities. An online survey on the Greene County CSD website is also being offered from Feb. 14-20.

The board will reconvene Wednesday, March 2 – the day the application window closes – to discuss the collected public input and to “finalize” the interview schedule. The school district plans to narrow a candidate pool list down to 10, which will be analyzed by a group of “stakeholders” made up of students, staff and community members. After the board has had a chance to review each candidate, they will then determine three final candidates on March 23. The final trio will undergo another extensive interview process in early April (April 5-7), meeting with several different stakeholders as well as with the school board.
The school board intends to be transparent and offer several opportunities for the public to offer ideas throughout the next two months.
A new era is upon the district, Fisher said.

“I think everyone on the board is very excited about the opportunity to select a new leader to successfully propel our school system into the next decade,” Fisher said.