Columbus Municipal School District has tapped the Mississippi School Boards Association to lead its search for a new superintendent.
Superintendent Stanley Ellis resigned from his position in April to take a new role in the Humphreys County School District. He agreed to stay on board with the district until July.
The board’s decision was between MSBA, who the district has used in the past, and McPherson and Jacobson, a Nebraska-based firm that specializes in superintendent searches.
“Because I am familiar with Mississippi School Boards (Association), and I think I’ve heard of McPherson and Jacobson, but I’m not really familiar with their methods, I’d prefer to just stay with MSBA,” Trustee Cynthia Brown said.
Trustee Josie Shumake said MSBA has the advantage of being more familiar with the state’s education landscape.
“I think we should stay with MSBA because I (McPherson and Jacobson is) located in Nebraska,” she said. “Not that there’s anything wrong with Nebraska, but MSBA has a better idea of what’s around here.”
The board unanimously approved the contract with MSBA, which will require the organization to establish the criteria for applicants, help the district develop a timeline for hiring and advertise the position. MSBA will also evaluate applications and interview applicants to narrow the board’s choices before a decision is made.
With the board’s approval, Board President Robert Smith said MSBA will plan a meeting with the board to determine the timeline for the search.
“(A MSBA representative) said they could do it within three weeks, a month, whatever the board deems necessary to do so,” he said.
MSBA previously helped the district search for a superintendent in 2018 and in 2023, which resulted in Ellis’ hiring.
Contracts approved for bond projects
The district is set to begin the first major projects of bond-funded facility improvements this summer.
During its regular meeting Monday, trustees approved a resolution of intent to borrow $4.7 million for work beginning at Sale, Stokes-Beard and Cook elementaries in the summer.
The board also approved two contracts with Ethos Contracting – for $3.1 million for work at Sale and another $178,712 for work at Stokes-Beard – and one with Traxler Construction for $3.19 million worth of improvements at Cook.
The $36 million bond, which voters approved in May 2024, will cover three phases of improvements across the three elementary schools, Columbus High School and the district’s athletic complex.
Improvements made at Sale and Cook include updated life safety measures and renovations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. New ceilings and lights are planned for both schools. Sale will also have roofing redone.
Bond money is slated to build a new external gymnasium at Stokes-Beard, where the cafeteria currently doubles as the gym. During this phase, work at the school will only include repairs to closets that house air conditioning units.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
