Superintendent Search Program

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The selection of a new superintendent is the most important decision that confronts a board of education. Since 1984, your Missouri School Boards' Association has provided this service to facilitate this extremely important decision. The use of the MSBA Superintendent Search Program by Missouri local boards of education has increased steadily. In recent years, MSBA has successfully assisted in the hiring of approximately 25-30 superintendents annually.

National Scope - Through our relationship with the National School Boards Association, successful superintendent searches can be conducted regardless of the size of the school district. MSBA's Superintendent Search Program has been utilized by school districts ranging in size from less than 300 students to districts with over 10,000 students enrolled in their schools.

The length of employment of superintendents hired with the assistance of the MSBA Search Program exceeds the national average tenure of superintendent employment. This information is based on studies reported to MSBA by the Educational Research Service.

Comprehensive Services - MSBA is proud of its success rate of helping school districts hire a superintendent. We feel the strength of our success is the result of several factors.

1. The MSBA consultants spend time with school board members, staff members, students and designated community leaders with the purpose of identifying the characteristics a successful superintendent must have in a given district.

2. Candidate recruitment is accomplished by the development of comprehensive and personalized information about the school district; the use of state and nation-wide communication systems via the MSBA web site, advertisement notices sent to all Missouri superintendents, administrators and other professional associations, colleges and universities; and personal contacts made by MSBA search consultants.

3. Before candidates are presented to a board of education, each candidate's application materials are measured against the successful candidate characteristics developed as a result of interviews and focus group meetings conducted in the local community. Candidate screening is conducted by members of the MSBA team of consultants which includes successful Missouri superintendents and MSBA executive staff members.

4. Interviewing and the employment of a superintendent are the responsibility of the local board of education. MSBA consultants will provide assistance with interview techniques, and reference and security checks. MSBA's legal staff is also available for free contract assistance.

5. Following the employment of a new superintendent, MSBA will provide, upon request, a teambuilding workshop. This workshop is available for a reasonable fee to any district desiring a local workshop on teambuilding. The workshop speaks directly to the importance of team work, specifically the board/administrative team. Getting off to a good beginning with your new superintendent is important to the beginning of a long-term and productive relationship.

The process of searching for a new superintendent is time consuming and complex. MSBA has the staff and expertise to assist each Board of Education in this effort and at a considerably lower cost than what you will incur by using professional search firms. MSBA searches are tailored toward the individual needs of the district. Our staff and consultants have a professional desire and need to allow you to be successful in the selection of your next superintendent.

Administrative Jobs Listings

MSBA provides school districts the opportunity to list administrative job opportunities on the MSBA website. This service is provided by MSBA, along with the Missouri Association of School Administrators, the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals and the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. The service is free to members of any of the participating organizations. For information on MSBA searches, contact Debbie Strid at strid@msbanet.org or 573-445-9920, Ext. 321.

*All listings are removed at the application deadline. Entries without an application deadline will be maintained for 30 days from date of receipt. You may request continuation of the listings if needed.