An Invitation to Apply for the Position of
Superintendent of Schools for the
Wayne County School System

     The Wayne County Board of Education is seeking candidates for the position of Superintendent
of Schools. Applications should be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. EST on December 20, 2020.
     See Application Process for more details.

 

District Facts System Enrollment: 5,014 School Budget: $49.7 Million Staff:

 

Certified:    419

 

Classified:   302

 

Number of Schools:

 

 

Elementary (PK-5)

5

Middle (6-8)

2

High (9-12)

1

 

 

About the District

Wayne County Schools Mission:

To Empower All Students to Reach Their Highest Levels of Achievement.

Wayne County Schools Vision:

The System Will Be A Progressive System, In Partnership with the Community, Where All Students Acquire
the Knowledge and Skills to Be Productive, Responsible, and Successful Citizens in A Rapidly Changing World.

     In the past 10 years, Wayne County has constructed 4 new Elementary Schools:

• Screven Elementary opened 2012-13 school year
• Jesup Elementary opened 2013-14 school year
• Odum Elementary opened 2016-17 school year and
• Martha R. Smith Elementary opened 2017-18 school year

     Wayne County has begun a renovation project on James E. Bacon Elementary School.

     The Wayne County Yellow Jackets participate in GHSA interscholastic athletics as part of Region 1-AAAAA.  High school sports include one act play, cross-country, fast-pitch softball, volleyball, football, spirit cheer and competition cheer, E-sports, basketball, wrestling, baseball, golf, soccer, tennis, and track & field.

     Middle school teams compete in the Southeast Georgia Middle School Athletic Conference. Sports include cross country, fast-pitch softball, football, spirit cheer, basketball, wrestling, baseball, golf, soccer, tennis,
and track & field.

    Students in both middle and high schools have opportunities to participate in band as instrumentalists,
color guard, dance squad, or majorettes.

     For more information, visit the Wayne County Schools website by clicking here.

Qualifications

   The Superintendent of Schools serves as the chief executive officer of the school system and is responsible
for ensuring compliance with all board policies, Georgia Board of Education rules and regulations, and
state and federal laws. Candidates will be evaluated on their professional merits, with emphasis on the
following criteria:

Required:

• Possession of or is eligible for the Education Specialist Degree or higher and holds or is eligible for a  Georgia Standard Professional Clear Renewable Tier II Certificate at Level 6 or higher in Educational Leadership.  Certificate number or letter of eligibility from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission as verification of such eligibility must be provided.  Georgia certification information is available from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, 200 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 1702, Atlanta, GA 30303, 800-869-7775 or www.gapsc.com.
• Possession of good moral character; not convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude, as required by Georgia law; possession of high standards of ethical and moral conduct and a demonstrated ability to promote the success of all students by adhering to ethical principles and professional norms.
• Has no immediate family members serving on the Wayne County Board of Education or employed as
  an administrator in the school district after July 1, 2009, as required by Georgia law.
• A proven leader with a combination of professional expertise achieved though service in roles/
  positions with progressively increased responsibility over time, indicating familiarity with varying aspects of leadership, politics, finance, and management of the K-12 education sector and the needs
  of diverse learners.
• Possesses evidence of support for and understanding of the critical importance of a district’s strategic plan by identifying, articulating and planning to meet the needs of all students, staff and other stakeholders.
• Possesses strong instructional foundation and demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of current research-based practices in teaching and learning, instructional administration, techniques and programs that enhance instructional capacity and maximizes student learning.
• Demonstrates ability to supervise multiple functions within the district with full accountability for effective operation and results and to delegate responsibility while maintaining accountability.
• Ability to build trusting and respectful relationships and ensure robust connections to the external community and all stakeholders to maximize student achievement.
• Demonstrates ability to ensure that policies and practices enable all staff and students to interact effectively in a culturally diverse environment in which students’ background, identities, strengths,
  and challenges are respected.
• Has experience with and/or played a direct role in developing or leading an educational entity where student achievement has been increased; knows what effective instructional practice looks like, can describe it, and knows strategies for improving teaching and learning and the superintendent’s role in contributing to this outcome.
• A demonstrated knowledge of local, state and federal laws and mandates, board of education policies and ethical guidelines.
• Ability to provide leadership for the Board of Education to aid their understanding of the “team governance model” and the separation of authority of the board and the superintendent.
   

Preferred:

• Possession of a doctorate. 
• Documented history of outstanding experience as an educational leader aware and knowledgeable of public education needs for the southeast region of the US, as well as nationally. 
• Evidence of a high level of effectiveness in the following personal qualities: Organizational Ability, Values, Judgment, Conflict Management, a Fit for the Position/Community, Emotional Intelligence. 
• A willingness to reside in Wayne County. 

Salary and Benefits

      A negotiated compensation arrangement with a mix of salary and benefits.

The Board of Education

The Wayne County Board of Education consists of five members:
 

• Nicholas Ellis, Chair – 6 years of service
• Joe McPipkin, Vice Chair – 2 years of service
• Bruce Harris – 2 years of service
• Ray Davidson – 6 years of service
• Sheron Daniel – 5 years of service

Application Process      Applicants should not contact the Wayne County Board of Education directly. Information, including the link to the online application, is available at GSBA’s website: gsba.com/member-services/superintendent-search- service. You can reach GSBA at (770) 962-2985, or (800) 226-1856. To be considered, the completed file must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on December 20, 2020.

 

     Do not mail any materials to GSBA or the school district. Any documents should be uploaded in the spaces provided in the online application. This includes:

 

• a resume that lists three references
• a copy of college transcript(s)
• any letters of recommendation
• any certificates and supplemental material                                                         

The Community       Wayne County is a rural community in Southeast Georgia located about 40 miles from the Atlantic Coast. Jesup, the county seat, is the largest of the three municipalities.  Three major highways (U.S. 84, U.S. 301, and U.S. 341) run through the county.  The county has 2000 square miles and ranks eleventh in size within the state.  Pine forests, one of the largest natural resources, encompass more than half of the land area.  Lake Grace, about 250 acres in size, is a resource used for boating, fishing, water skiing, picnics, and camping.  Another source of water recreation is provided by a 50-mile span of the Altamaha River.

 

Community Employment Opportunities

     The Wayne County School System is currently the county’s largest employer with more than 800 employees.  Rayonier Advanced Materials, the leading global supplier of high-purity, cellulose specialties products, is the second largest employer in Wayne County.  The next largest employers are Wayne Memorial Hospital, the Federal Correction Institute, and Wal-Mart. Other sources of employment include retail stores, home health care agencies, farming, pulp wooding, service industries and construction.

 

Notice of Disclosure:

 

     At least 14 calendar days prior to the meeting at which final action or vote is to be taken on the position of superintendent, all documents concerning as many as three persons under consideration whom the board has determined to be the best qualified for the position shall be subject to inspection and copying. The board can vote on the appointment at any time after the 14-day period.