Friday, July 10, 2015

So you want to be a Joplin R-8 interim superintendent

If the description of what the Joplin R-8 School District wants in an interim superintenent doesn't scare off potential applicants, what will?

The requirements were posted Thursday on the district website:

The  Board of Education seeks an Interim Superintendent to provide oversight, bridge internal and external relationships, and continue the positive momentum we are currently experiencing until a formal process provides for the selection of the next Superintendent for the Joplin School District.

The expected term is anticipated to be one year with a start date of August 1, 2015 and with the possibility of a second year extension, dependent upon the development of a formal timeline for hiring the next Superintendent.  The successful candidate will possess a valid Missouri Superintendent Certificate.

Candidates for the position of Interim Superintendent must complete the online application process, providing the following:
*Current resume reflecting all teaching and leadership experience
*Cover letter that describes:  date available to assume responsibilities; length of availability; leadership style, to include verifiable experience in the ability to build and maintain positive relationships
*Copy of valid Missouri Superintendent Certification
*Three (3) professional references that can speak directly to leadership capacities.


Job Title:                    Interim Superintendent of Schools
Department:              Administration
Reports to:                 Board of Education
Classification:            Exempt

Summary
The Superintendent is responsible for the day to day operation of the district in accordance with Board policy and the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.  The Superintendent provides information and recommendations to the Board and serves as the liaison between the Board and the public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
An individual who holds this position is required to:
Serve as the instructional leader for the district
Ensure the district is accredited pursuant to the Missouri accreditation process
Promote student achievement as the primary focus of all district staff
Facilitate and attend Board meetings
Develop agendas for Board meetings in consultation with the Board president and provide Board members necessary information in advance of all meetings
Maintain district records
Implement Board policy through written administrative procedures
Manage the financial affairs of the district and provide the Board with financial reports monthly or as requested
Advise the Board on matters of finance, policy, facilities and personnel
Submit all reports and data required by state and federal law
Maintain facilities that are safe, adequate, efficient and conducive to learning
Direct the acquisition of instructional materials, supplies and other equipment necessary for effective instruction
Direct hiring, assignment and training of staff
Direct a performance-based evaluation program for all staff
Hear staff complaints and grievances
Delegate duties to members of the administrative team as appropriate
Serve as an advocate for the district to the public and state lawmakers
Participate in a standards-based performance evaluation at least annually

Supervisory Duties
The Superintendent has supervisory responsibility over all district staff and immediate supervisory responsibility for the following positions:
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Operations Officer
Executive Director of Elementary Education
Executive Director of Secondary Education
Executive Director of Student Services
Director of Communication
Athletic Director
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent

Qualifications
Education
Specialist degree or higher in educational administration
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid Missouri superintendent certificate

The skills and abilities listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required and are rooted in national standards created by or derived from the Interstate School Leaders and Licensure Consortium (ISLLC). 

Skills and Abilities
Language
This position requires strong written and verbal communication skills.  The individual who holds this position must:
Have sufficient reading skills to interpret educational, scientific and technical journal articles, financial reports and Board policy, governmental regulation and guidance and legal documents.
Have listening skills sufficient to receive inquiries and complaints and respond appropriately 
Be able to make effective presentations to the Board, staff and community
Computation
Ability to do basic mathematic calculations and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations
Reasoning
Ability to define problems, collect data, verify facts, make valid conclusions and deal with abstract concepts
Technology
This position requires basic skills in the use of computers and hand-held devices such as PDAs and phones.  
Other Skills and Abilities
This position requires strong interpersonal skills including the ability to:
Maintain collegial working relationships with staff and members of the Board of Education
Maintain a positive relationship with members of the community
Effectively manage conflict  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands
The individual who holds this position is regularly required to walk, hear and speak and must have close moderate and distance vision ability.  This individual must be able to travel between district facilities.  The position requires a moderate amount of travel, both in and out of state.

Attendance
Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position. 

The work conditions and environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Conditions and Environment
The work environment is consistent with a typical office environment. 
Rarely, an individual who holds this position must work outside in rain and snow and temperatures above 100 degrees and below freezing.  
 ***
How did the Joplin R-8 School District get to this point? Read the story in the newly published Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud: Greed, Corruption, and the Joplin Tornado, available in paperback and e-book formats from Amazon.com and locally at Always Buying Books and Changing Hands Book Shoppe in Joplin and Pat's Books in Carthage.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know which is funnier, the graphic or the descriptors. They are so not Huff. Must attend regularly? That will be different after a super who took off a month of the year to give hero speeches. Verify facts? Hahahahahaha. That is a new one. Compute? You mean like balance a budget? Oh my, this will be a job for Superman. Make appropriate presentations to the community? I suppose that includes social media. Oh, this could go on all night. All I can say is, I hope this person is willing to focus on the building bridges aspect first. Finances second. Housecleaning third. It's going to take a lot to build trust with the staff and community. Nobody currently in Central Office will be able to do that.

Good luck to the Board and to the new interim. It looks like an interesting year ahead, anyway. We will all hope for the very best.

Anonymous said...

"...continue the positive momentum we are currently experiencing..."
THAT'S funny!

Anonymous said...

"Facilitate and attend Board meetings"
Does that mean this person should be professional during the meetings? No texting or giggling and whispering on the side?

"Maintain district records"
Just one set?

"Hear staff complaints and grievances"
And then what? Fire the people who complained?

Bless the poor soul who has to do this. It really may take Superman to deal with this mess.

Anonymous said...

Maybe there should only be one requirement . Okay ..be the exact opposite of CJ Huff. LMAO! This was hilarious to read!

Anonymous said...

Manage, CFO, COO, etc. FIRE the COO period and most of the rest of the "TEAM"

Anonymous said...

Jason Cravens was already named Interim Superintendant so this is for an Interim to replace the Interim that was just named Interim. Or is this to extend the current Interim to be Interim for a longer Interim. Either way sounds like we are in great shape dealing with long term fixes on an Interim basis. Maybe we should also get some Interim substitute administrators on an interim basis until more permanent Interim replacements can be hired. At least our Interim board is working on Interim solutions for the Interim positions.

Anonymous said...

How about an interim budget fix to postpone the day of reckoning when the public realizes that the interim financial difficulties are actually permanent financial difficulties? Might as well keep up appearances while it is still possible.

Anonymous said...

You are hilarious! Well done (;

Peggy Marshall said...

Wow!