Newport News Public Schools (Virginia)
Announcement of Superintendent Search

The Newport News School Board invites applications and nominations for the position of division superintendent. The anticipated start date of the new superintendent is July 1, 2018.
 

CITY INFORMATION

Newport News is a diverse and dynamic city of 182,000 residents that has grown from a history of shipbuilding and military bases to become the fifth largest city in Virginia and a hub of technology and advanced manufacturing. Located on the banks of the Hampton Roads harbor in southeastern Virginia, our city features neighborhoods that offer the convenience of modern subdivisions as well as those listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

A strong industrial base including Newport News Shipbuilding, one of the state’s largest private employers, and the Canon Virginia facility, located in a thriving industrial complex in combination with a major military presence form the foundation of a sound and growing economy. Newport News is also home to one of the nation’s most advanced physics and research centers, the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. Nearby NASA Langley Research Center offers further opportunities for high-tech research.

The area is also rich in options for higher education. Christopher Newport University, located in Newport News, and nearby Hampton University, Thomas Nelson Community College, and The College of William and Mary participate in cooperative programs with Newport News Public Schools.

Enjoy local beaches, great parks, unique local retailers and restaurants, national chains, nationally-recognized museums, numerous performing arts venues, and a host of outdoor activities. Newport News is minutes from Colonial Williamsburg and a short drive to Virginia Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

THE SCHOOL DIVISION
 

The Newport News School Board is the official governing body for the school division and derives its authority from the Code of Virginia. The Board is comprised of seven members who are elected by Newport News constituents for staggered four year terms, with one member elected at large.

The Newport News Agenda for Public Education, the school division’s strategic plan, was created to guide the future and evaluate student results. To realize the vision of college, career and citizen-ready graduates, the Academic Agenda includes three benchmarks that serve as a framework for student success: achievement, advancement and youth development. http://www.nnschools.org/superintendent/agenda.pdf

Mission: Ensuring that all students graduate college, career and citizen-ready.

Core Values: The school division believes that all children have the capacity to learn and that “smart is something you become” through resilience and a commitment to youth development.

Student Population: 29,197

            Black – 53%

            White – 25%

            Hispanic – 13%

Asian – 2%

Multi-Race – 6%

Economically Disadvantaged – 60%

Students with Disabilities – 12%

English Language Learners – 5%

On –Time Graduation Rate (4-year cohort) 93%

Division’s Budget for 2017-2018: $305.7 million

Total Number of Employees: 5,268
Student Per Pupil Expenditure as budgeted for FY 2018: $11,503

Educational Structure

Newport News Public Schools offers an array of magnet and specialty programs at all grade levels; a Career Pathways program; service learning and youth development initiatives; STEM learning in all grades; dual-enrollment; and Early College and Early Career programs.

• 5 Early Childhood Centers
• 24 Elementary Schools
• 7 Middle Schools
• 1 Middle/High Combination School
• 5 High Schools
• Magnet & Specialty Programs at the elementary, middle and high school level with focuses in areas such as environmental science; health sciences; communications and performing arts; aviation; global studies; and science, technology, engineering and math
  • 5 elementary magnet programs
  • 3 middle school magnet programs
  • 5 high school magnet programs
  • 3 specialty programs (An Achievable Dream, Point Option and International Baccalaureate Program)
• Number of Advanced Placement Courses Offered: All students have open access to 37 courses in 22 subject areas
• Teacher Population: 2,096
• Elementary school teachers with Master’s Degrees & higher: 617
• Middle school teachers with Master’s Degrees & higher: 221
• High school teachers with Master’s Degrees & higher: 319
• Curriculum & Instruction Coaches and Specialists:  12
• National Board Certified Teachers: 55
   

  Website: www.nnschools.org

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

After seeking input from its Board members, parents, staff, students and community, the Newport News School Board seeks an educational leader with outstanding qualifications and characteristics, as reflected in the following profile:

• Experience as a principal is required.
• Experience working in a central office is required.
• Experience as an assistant or associate superintendent is preferred.
• An earned doctorate in education is required.

The successful candidate will have evidence of significant accomplishment within a comparably demanding public school setting. He/she must demonstrate the following:

Leadership and Management Skills – Creates a team atmosphere; is comfortable with shared decision-making; is a visionary, motivator, creative thinker and a decisive leader; and shows a history of data-based decision making

Personal Characteristics – Demonstrates care and commitment to all children; is a careful listener and coalition builder who promotes fair and equitable practices; and is a trustworthy leader with the skills to engage others and sustain productive working relationships

Board-Superintendent Relations – Effectively mediates and accommodates different perspectives; understands differences between policy and administration; and considers initiatives and recommendations of the Board. The successful candidate provides multiple options and recommendations to the Board.

Staff Relations – Creates an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect; maintains open channels of communication with staff; and cultivates a shared vision for student learning across the organization. The successful candidate leads a culture of continuous improvement through staff development.

Community Relations – Builds partnerships to increase community confidence, advance student opportunities, and keep the public informed; relates well to a variety of community groups and provides the tools to advocate for school issues and needs

School Finance – Demonstrates a strong understanding of local operational and capital funding needs; advocates for school funding on behalf of the division at the local and state levels; develops the budget and explains its rationale to the Board and local officials; and offers creative funding solutions. (Virginia school divisions do not have taxing authority.)

Areas of Expertise – Shows strong expertise and outstanding accomplishments in: curriculum and instruction, strategic planning, urban school divisions, budget and finance, and research-proven methods for enhancing student achievement. The successful candidate will have experience in advancing the academic achievement of students from all economic backgrounds.

The candidate will meet the qualifications for inclusion on the Eligibility List of Superintendents in Virginia. Questions concerning the eligibility requirement should be directed to Patty S. Pitts, Division of Teacher Education & Licensure, Virginia Department of Education PO Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218; telephone 804-371-2522.

The candidate selected for the position must agree to become a resident of Newport News after accepting the position.

SALARY

Commensurate with experience and qualifications, as determined by the School Board.
 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Complete application packets must be received by February 28, 2018.

To apply, visit: https://phl.applitrack.com/vsba/onlineapp/default.aspx?AppliTrackJobID=147&ref=

The VSBA is assisting the Newport News School Board with the search process. Candidates should not make personal contact with members of the School Board. Inquiries about the position should be directed to Gina Patterson, executive director, Virginia School Boards Association, at 434-295-8722 or gina@vsba.org.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Newport News School Board is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, gender, age, marital status or disability.