Dr. John E. Jungmann will be Springfield Public Schools' next superintendent. In a unanimous vote March 4, the Board of Education elected to hire him and is now in the process of negotiating the terms of his employment, including salary.
"Following Dr. Jungmann's community visit Monday, we listened to the feedback we received and agreed that he is the right candidate at the right time to move Springfield Public Schools to the next level of excellence," said Kris Callen, school board president.
Dr. Jungmann is currently superintendent of Liberty Public Schools but will assume the role at SPS effective July 1. He will replace Dr. Norm Ridder, who has served as superintendent for nine years.
A native of southwest Missouri, Dr. Jungmann told community members he is excited to return to this area with his wife, Kerry, and their three daughters, Halle, 12; Macie, 9; and Jolie, 2.
He said he was inspired to pursue a career in education by three educators who influenced him as a student. "They inspired me, they encouraged me, they blessed my life and said you can have an impact on kids and you can do something different," he said. "That's why I do the type of work that I do."
Callen said the board hopes to have an employment contract finalized by the end of the week. Dr. Jungmann's total compensation package is expected to be valued at about $250,000, an amount commensurate with the level of responsibility and accountability in a school district the size of SPS, Callen explained.
"As the largest fully accredited school district in the state and the fifth largest employer in Springfield, this job brings with it a unique set of responsibilities and challenges," Callen said. "We are confident that Dr. Jungmann will not only meet those expectations but exceed them."
On Monday, Dr. Jungmann was in Springfield to meet with various community and employee groups, including two meetings open to the general public. Individuals who were not able to meet Dr. Jungmann may view a video of one of his question-and-answer sessions posted here.
In November, the Board of Education retained the services of McPherson and Jacobson to assist in the superintendent search. McPherson and Jacobson met with the board and also conducted numerous stakeholder meetings and a community survey to determine the qualities and characteristics most desired in the new superintendent.
The individuals who were interviewed for the position, in consideration of the criteria, were selected from a pool of 13 applicants. On Feb. 5, the board met to review applications and identified quarterfinalists to participate in online interviews Feb. 11-12. The board then narrowed the pool to semifinalists and interviewed them Feb. 16-17. The top finalist, Dr. Jungmann, was invited to visit Springfield on March 3 to meet the community prior to the board making its final decision.
(Note: Jungmann is the former superintendent at Monett and is a graduate of Lamar High School.)
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