Columbus Municipal School District”s search for a new superintendent officially begins on Sept. 13.
Then, the Mississippi School Boards Association will host a community-input session.
“It is very important for both MSBA and the Board of Trustees to know your preferences with regards to the qualities our next Superintendent should possess.,” Columbus schools spokeswoman Janet Lewis wrote in a press release. “We strongly urge you to be a part of the community meeting.”
The Columbus school board is paying the MSBA $9,500, plus expenses to search for the next superintendent, the same rate Starkville schools” board of trustees is paying for MSBA to head its superintendent search.
Former Columbus schools Superintendent Del Phillips left the district in June to take over the Sumner County School District in Gallatin, Tenn. Judy Couey resigned as Starkville schools superintendent, also in June, to focus on her health.
Assistant Superintendent Martha Liddell is acting superintendent for Columbus schools. Assistant Superintendent Beth Sewell is acting superintendent for Starkville schools.
The Starkville School District hosted its public-input session on Thursday. Community members offered an array of qualities they”d like to see in the next superintendent, from being visionary to being open to communication. The MSBA will develop its application for the job, with those things in mind.
Initially, the Columbus school board tapped Ray and Associates to lead the search to replace Phillips. Ray and Associates is the same firm that recruited Phillips to take over the Sumner County School District.
The board decided to go with the MSBA to save money.
“The purpose of the meeting is to give our community an opportunity to share the criteria you would like to see in the next CMSD Superintendent,” Lewis wrote. “Dr. Harold Fisher of the Mississippi School Boards Association is conducting the Superintendent”s Search and will preside at the stakeholders meeting.”
Columbus” community-input meeting is Sept. 13, at 6:15 p.m., at Brandon Central Services on McArthur Drive.
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