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The consultants of McPherson and Jacobson, LLC have completed the first two phases of the superintendent search process for Cumberland-Anita-Massena (CAM) and Nodaway Valley. These phases included work with the school board and the community to identify criteria for a new superintendent in both districts.
The top criteria, as determined by the board, are:
Key Leadership Qualities
• Student-centered decision maker: Prioritizes student success and well-being in every decision while maintaining fairness and inclusivity.
• Strong and transparent communicator: Provides clear, honest and timely communication with all stakeholders to build trust and ensure alignment.
• Approachable and visible: Actively engaged in schools and the community, attending events, visiting classrooms and being accessible to students, staff and families.
• Consensus-builder: Unites divided communities, fostering collaboration and creating a shared vision for the district’s future.
• Financially responsible leader: Ensures fiscal responsibility while strategically planning for the district’s long-term financial and facility needs.
Experience and Expertise
• Board and Community Relations: Experienced in working with school boards, staff and community members to build productive and cooperating relationships.
• School Finance and Budget Management: Skilled in maximizing funding, managing tight budgets and ensuring long-term financial stability.
• Facilities Planning and Oversight: Understands long-term infrastructure needs and can navigate past facilities challenges and bond issues.
• Staff Recruitment and Retention: Implements strategies to attract and retain high-quality educators in a competitive market.
Personal Attributes
• Community-Driven: Fully integrates into the district, engaging with residents and understanding the values and needs of each community.
• Compassionate and Supportive: Fosters a culture of trust, respect and collaboration among students, staff and the community.
• Resilient and Adaptive: Handles challenges with composure, problem-solving skills and a forward-thinking mindset.
Preferred background
• Educational Leadership Experience: Prior experience as a superintendent or senior district administrator, ideally in a rural or multi-community setting.
• Committed to Long-Term Stability: Stakeholders seek a leader who will invest in the district and provide consistent leadership for the future.
The superintendent’s position will be advertised through the Iowa Association of School Boards, the School Administrators of Iowa, IowaWORKS, the McPherson and Jacobson website and professional associations throughout the United States.
The deadline for submitting application materials is Wednesday, March 19.
Monday, March 24, Steve Murley, Kim Antisdel and Tom Ridder will meet with the Boards of Education from both districts to review the stakeholder input summary, review interview questions and discuss the logistics of the interview process. After that date, the consultant will begin reviewing the completed files and evaluating the candidates against the established criteria. The consultants will be conducting extensive background checks on the candidates.
Monday, March 31, the consultants will meet with the Board of Education to review candidates and assist the Boards as they select final candidates to be interviewed.
Monday, April 7, the Boards will interview the the final candidates. As part of that process, each finalist will interview with community members, students, staff, teachers and administrators who will provide feedback that will be reviewed by the Board before making a final selection.
After the superintendent has been hired, Murley, Antisdel and Ridder will facilitate a Board/Superintendent workshop to assist in the establishment of performance objectives for the new superintendent.