Mitchell County School District

Superintendent Vacancy

Search Timeline:

• Application Deadline: February 28, 2021
• New Superintendent Appointed: Board Decision
• Superintendent Start Date: Negotiable

Application Process: Applicants should not contact the Mitchell County Board of Education directly.

Information, including the link to the online application, is available at GSBA’s website: https://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 February 28, 2021. 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 Mitchell County School District is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as Superintendent. The successful candidate must have a passion and commitment to the academic success of all students and communication skills necessary to motivate and build support for the district’s mission. The salary for the position is negotiable based on experience and demonstrated success.  District residency is required; school and community engagement is essential.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT: Total Students: 1367

Employees: 143 Professional Staff and 108 Classified Staff FY21 System Budget: $23.4 million

Schools: Mitchell County Primary (Early Learning (3 year old)–1st Grade) Mitchell County Elementary (2nd-4th Grades)

Mitchell County Middle (5th-7th Grades) Mitchell County High (8th-12th Grades)

In addition: Mitchell County has one private school (Westwood Schools), a state charter school (Baconton Charter School) and one independent public school system (Pelham City School District).

Mitchell County School System is in the southwest corner of the state in a very rural, agricultural community serving students of mostly low socio-economic status. Current enrollment data indicates that demographics for the system are 8% Hispanic, 1% Multi-Racial, 82% Black, and 9% White. Faced with traditional school, a one-size-fits-all curriculum puts our already at-risk students in an impossible situation. Our focus is on ensuring that every child receives the opportunity to reach their personal and academic potential. Therefore, seamless transition opportunities are essential for successful student outcomes. Seventy eight percent of the Class of 2020 participated in dual enrollment. Out of 74 graduating seniors, 16 who had already completed their Associate’s Degree in their junior year, completed their third year of college, 3 earned their Associate’s Degree, and 19 completed their freshman year of college. In addition, 23 seniors attended one to two years at a local technical college. To improve the academic rigor within the system, the Career, Technical and Agriculture area was renovated, expanded, and connected to the community.

   ABOUT THE COMMUNITY: Mitchell County lies on the east side of the Flint River in the heart of southwest Georgia and was originally a part of Baker County. Camilla is the county seat. Mitchell County has 514 square miles of beautiful countryside and quiet towns. Our county is within 30 miles of the cities of Thomasville, Albany, and Bainbridge, Georgia. It is located conveniently close to North Florida, South Alabama, and two state capitals, Tallahassee and Atlanta. With over 96,000 acres of farmland, Mitchell County ranks high among Georgia counties in agricultural production. Tyson is the largest employer and is currently working with the Mitchell County School District on developing the Mechatronics Program for students.

Who We Are?

Mitchell County School System will “Bridge the Gap” by becoming a system of distinguished schools where students acquire the understanding and skills to be successful as they continue their education at the postsecondary level and/or enter the workforce.

MCSS’ Mission: Why we exist, our core business….

The mission of the Mitchell County School System is to pursue excellence in academic understanding, skills, and behavior for each student, resulting in measured improvement against local and national standards and producing responsible, productive citizens.

MCSS’ Strategic Goals: The plan for achieving our mission...

• Curriculum-Focus on mastery of the material
• Literacy-Improve Lexile levels and overall reading comprehension
• Student Academic Behavior-Improve non-cognitive/academic behaviors and increase student engagement
• Transparency-Increase stakeholder engagement and collaboration

Qualifications for Superintendent

The Superintendent of Schools serves as the chief executive officer of the school system and is responsible to the Board of Education 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 Ave., Suite 1702, Atlanta, GA 30334; 800-869-7775 or www.gapsc.com.

• 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 that s/he promote the success of all students by adhering to ethical principles and professional norms.
• Has no immediate family members serving on the Mitchell County Board of Education or employed as an administrator in the school district after July 1, 2009, as required by Georgia law.
• Willingness to establish residence within the district.

Preferred:

• Possession of an Ed. S. or a Ph.D.
• Documented evidence of experience in the Southeast Region of the United States (AL, District of Columbia, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, LA, TN, VA, W.VA).
• Evidence of the ability to promote the success of all students by ensuring, supporting, managing and overseeing the district’s organization, management of personnel, facilities, transportation, nutrition, technology and budgeting facets of district operations.
• Has a combination of professional expertise achieved through service in roles of increased responsibility over time.
• Demonstrates ability to balance varied and competing interests to ensure focus remains on mission and vision of the district.
• Promotes the success and well-being of every student by ensuring the development of robust and meaningful curriculum and assessment processes.
• A demonstrated ability to foster a positive, professional climate of mutual trust and respect among faculty, staff and administrators.
• A demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with faculty and community members, responds to diverse community interests and needs and mobilizes community resources.
• Leads ethically by example through strength of moral character and unquestioned integrity, by adhering to ethical principles and professional norms.
• 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,  knows strategies for improving teaching and learning and the superintendent’s role in contributing to this outcome.
• Understands the team governance model and has the ability to provide leadership for the Board to aid their understanding of this model and the separation of authority of the board and the superintendent.
• Evidence of a high level of effectiveness in the following personal qualities: Values, Fit for the Position/ Community, Judgment, Awareness of Future-Ready Educational Practices, Emotional Intelligence/Self Awareness, Conflict Management, Organizational Ability and Responsiveness. 

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.