Thursday, June 16, 2016

MSBA locked out of Joplin R-8 superintendent hunt, search firm finalists named

The Missouri School Boards Association, the organization whose last superintendent search for the Joplin R-8 School District landed an inexperienced superintendent from Eldon named C. J. Huff who wasn't ready for the big time, isn't going to receive a chance to foist another scrap heap choice on local taxpayers.

The R-8 Board of Education tonight eliminated two of the five firms that submitted proposals to handle the district's search for a replacement for Huff and one of the two was MSBA.

Only one board member, Sharrock Dermott, spoke in favor of MSBA, noting that the organization was "a partner of ours" referring to the organization's status as a sounding board and information repository for Missouri boards of education and "It's a Missouri organization, so it's a cultural fit. Our panel would come from this region."

Ironically, while MSBA's proposal bit the dust, one of the three surviving firms, which will make 15-minute presentations at the 6 p.m. Thursday, June 28 board meeting, will be Ray and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the search firm that landed former Joplin R-8 Superintendent Jim Simpson his present position at Lindbergh.(Note: Simpson was hired in Joplin following a search conducted by MSBA.)

Joining Ray and Associates in the finalists are McPherson and Jacobsen LLC, Omaha, Nebraska, the search firm who worked with the Springfield school district during its hiring of Lamar native John Jungmann as superintendent, and BWP & Associates, Libertyville, Illinois.

ExecConnect of Rochester, Minnesota, was eliminated along with MSBA.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah, ask Springfield teachers how that hour for Jungmann has turned out. He's a Huff clone. Ask former Liberty teachers how great Jungmann was. Get out there and do that reporting. You'll find he is as crooked as a snake. He's all talk and only cares about his salary and position. Would not go with any firm that hired someone like Jungmann.

Anonymous said...

Way to stay local Joplin..Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois.

Anonymous said...

Jungmann has been a disaster for Springfield. Morale is down, teachers are beginning to leave for other districts, and there is talk of some shady finance affairs. Sound familiar, Joplin?

Anonymous said...

Please come back Jim...

Anonymous said...

Be careful, Jungmann is "Turner's boy". He won't write anything negative about him. Oh, and it's funny how much disdain there was for Simpson when he was in Joplin and now there are a couple of posts wanting him back. Some of you have short memories......

Anonymous said...

Just saying if Turner wants more subscriptions better open up the can of worms on Jungmann. AKA Dungmann.

Anonymous said...

Hooray on eliminating MSBA--they're a crock.
No, we don't need another Simpson--blech.

Anonymous said...

Let's face it, it takes these search firms to find a candidate for the Super's job because it is like looking for a needle in a hay stack. It's a rare find to locate a school administrator worth considering. Only the worst of the worst rise to this position. Mostly ex-jocks that couldn't find a real job.

Anonymous said...

Most boards are to lazy to do their own investigation of a potential superintendent. Just get on Google and type in the name and you should be able to find everything you need to know. Also case net is another good source of information. Superintendents are for the most part self serving financial "hoes", who blow in and take what they can get from your school district until they find a better offer. There are a few honest ones with integrity but they don't bounce from district to district. Why pay someone an enormous salary just to copy what every other school district is doing. As I have heard it said, if your not drinking from the educational trough, your not going to advance within a school district.

Concerned citizen said...

Yes,Superintendents get paid well,but,like it or not the job is one a most demanding job...too many instant experts,too many helicopter parents,too many Board members who are poorly prepared to be on a Board,too many regulations/governmental edicts,too many poorly trained subordinates,very long hours,on and on ..Pity....not but our society should not be surprised if the candidates with outstanding accomplishments get paid handsomely..Dermott seemed to want the Missouri Old Boy crowd to be considered,glad they won't be a finalist. Go for the best experienced candidate,pay the going rate BUT establish upfront measurable benchmarks.The past Board (sharp,steele,landis etc)were clueless.Leadership does make the difference.

Anonymous said...

Need to hire local someone that knows the school.

Anonymous said...

Knows the school....that's just the inbred attitude that permeates so much of Joplin thinking...leading a school district requires an individual with a broad range of successful experiences.Podunk begets podunk..

Anonymous said...

As horrible as Joplin people treat their superintendent, it'll be a miracle to find someone decent who'd want to come here!

Anonymous said...

If you are thinking of Huff...he abused our city. His misdeeds will take years to recover if at all.His current supporters are at best cool aid drinkers

Anonymous said...

Nice choices....NOT!!

I would bet that they will help land someone from somewhere far, far away who has no idea about Joplin and the community. Give him/her 3 years and they will be gone!!

Anonymous said...

There is absolutely nobody working for the school district who is capable of being superintendent.

Nobody.

Anonymous said...

There is absolutely nobody working for the school district who is capable of being superintendent.

Nobody.


This is what something like the great Huff Besendorfer overly compliant R8 Board troika inevitably leads to.

Anonymous said...

Steve Gilbreth