Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Cedar Rapids firm to head Joplin R-8 superintendent search

Ray and Associates will conduct the search for a new superintendent for the Joplin R-8 School District.

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa company was selected following its presentation and presentations from McPherson and Jacobsen, LLC, Omaha, Nebraska, and BWP and Associates, Libertyville, Illinois.

Ray and Associates CEO and founder Gary Ray promised big involvement from the Joplin community in the process and said his company averages 70 applicants per position.

Board members were impressed by a vetting process that included interviews not only with the candidate's references, but also with school personnel, board members, and community members at schools where the candidate has worked.

The company has never had a failed search (in which no one was hired) and had a solid record for having the board selections stay in their new positions for several years.

Ray stressed that his company wanted to make sure to find a new superintendent who would fit the profile of what the board and the Joplin community wanted.

"You only want to do this one time while you'r eon the board," he said, "and you want to do it right."

Among the success stories touted by Ray and his team were the recent placement of a superintendent for the Kansas City school district, as well as Ladue, Lee's Summit, and Rogers, Arkansas.

In 2007, Ray and Associates conducted the search for the Lindbergh School District that ended with the board hiring Joplin R-8 Superintendent Jim Simpson, who still holds that position nine years later.


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