ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY
SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION
SCOTTSBORO CITY SCHOOLS
Scottsboro, Alabama
The Board of Education for Scottsboro City Schools, Scottsboro, Alabama, seeks an
outstanding educational leader to serve as superintendent beginning January 1, 2015,
after the December retirement of the current superintendent. As Chief Executive Officer
of the Scottsboro City Board of Education, the superintendent will perform those duties
set forth for superintendents (Alabama Code Section 16-12-1, et seq.). Scottsboro City
Schools is a city school system that serves approximately 2,600 students while currently
operating three (3) elementary schools K-4, one (1) intermediate school 5-6, one (1)
junior high school, and one (1) high school. The school system is fiscally stable and
staffed by dedicated and caring teachers, principals, and administrators. The
elementary schools are Title I schools, and all schools are accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement
(SACS CASI) / AdvancED.
Enrichment programs focusing on art and music are offered throughout the system with
some provided through partnerships with community resources. Violin lessons are
provided for all third grade students through a partnership with the Education
Foundation and the Impact Learning Center which also offers two prekindergarten
classes. There are several other educational partnerships including those with
Northeast Alabama Community College for dual enrollment and Jackson County Board
of Education to provide technology classes at Earnest Pruett Center of Technology.
Career classes are also offered in conjunction with Jackson County Schools.
Scottsboro has strong parent and community support with over 130 partnerships.
Test scores are consistently higher than the state average, and all of Scottsboro’s
schools exceed the state average in reading and math. During the 2012-13 school
year, over eighty (80) percent of the eighth grade students scored in levels III and IV in
both reading and math on the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT), and
Scottsboro has a graduation rate of eighty-six (86) percent. The system is somewhat
homogenous based on race with approximately eighty-five (85) percent of students
Caucasian, six (6) percent African, six (6) percent Hispanic, and two (2) percent Asian.
Approximately fifty-one (51) percent of the students qualify for the Free and Reduced
Lunch Program. The majority of the certified personnel have obtained a master’s
degree or higher, and the personnel is dedicated, caring and committed to meeting the
needs of students both academically and socially. Scottsboro School System is one of
the largest employers in Scottsboro and in Jackson County.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Scottsboro is a community of about 15,000 residents. An outstanding leader with vision
is needed to continue to move this progressive system forward into the future.
Scottsboro is located in Jackson County in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains
along Guntersville Lake. The mountain lakes of the Tennessee River provide
opportunities for year-round activities. Recreation in Scottsboro includes fishing,
boating, hiking, golfing on two golf courses, a multi-purpose indoor facility—the
Rec’Com with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, exercise area, racquetball court,
gymnastics, and two (2) basketball courts. Outdoor activities in the area include tennis,
baseball, softball, and soccer complexes. The city also has a splash park and a skate
park.
CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALITIES SOUGHT IN THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT
The Scottsboro City School Board seeks candidates who embody the following
characteristics and qualities:
•
LEADERSHIP: The superintendent will engage city leaders, community leaders,
parents, administrators, teachers, staff, students, and all stakeholders in every
aspect of the school system. The superintendent will be dedicated to high
standards and expectations for all students and be able to demonstrate a record
of improving student learning. Leadership for this system includes the effective
expansion and application of technology to enhance the system’s goals. The new
superintendent will have the ability to analyze, with the help of the professional
staff, all instructional programs and innovative practices to ensure the continued
growth in academic successes. The board wants a strong leader who will allow
the current employees to continue to grow as educators and leaders. The system
is seeking a leader knowledgeable in technology and additional career technical
opportunities. The successful candidate will have the skills necessary to lead the
board of education forward to form a cohesive team that supports school system
employees, the superintendent, and prepares a plan for the school system for the
good of the total community. Leadership in this community includes getting to
know the faculty, staff, support personnel, students, parents, and all stakeholders.
•
COMMUNICATION: The successful candidate will be a good listener and will be
approachable and personal in interactions with all stakeholders both at the schools
and in the community. The successful candidate will be able to communicate
effectively with stakeholders to cultivate and strengthen the trust that exists
between the community and the schools, and build consensus by bringing people
together from all stakeholders in the community. The school system has strong
partnerships with many businesses and industries. The successful candidate will
be an inclusive person with an open door policy for all stakeholders.
Communication in this environment includes being visible in the schools and in the
community.
•
TEAM BUILDING: The superintendent will evaluate all aspects of the school
system and develop a shared plan to move the system forward emphasizing
academic achievement for students and professional development for faculty and
staff. The superintendent will work collaboratively with the board of education,
administrators, and all stake holders to ensure that the best strategies are utilized
to increase student achievement and meet the education needs of all students.
The superintendent will work collaboratively with the staff and the community to
assure that the best strategies are utilized to increase student achievement and
meet the educational needs of all students. The superintendent should have a
caring attitude and be a person that encourages others to be successful.
•
MANAGEMENT: The superintendent will be responsible for managing the system
on a daily basis including the recommendation and evaluation of personnel and
the recommendation and evaluation of programs and appropriate changes. The
superintendent will work collaboratively with the staff and the community to assure
that the best strategies are utilized to increase student achievement and meet the
education needs of all students. He/she will work to develop a long range plan
that implements the goals established in working with the school board and
stakeholders. The superintendent will lead the school system to efficiency and
effectively assign its fiscal and human resources to prioritized initiatives and
programs that benefit student and stakeholders.
The superintendent’s
management style will empower administrators, teachers, and staff to perform their
duties with his/her support and guidance in moving the system to maximum
academic achievement and financial solvency.
•
PERSONAL QUALITIES: The Scottsboro City School Board seeks a highly
visible, energetic, courageous, collaborative leader who is a champion for public
schools and is committed to doing the best for all students. The superintendent
will have the insight and empathy to work harmoniously with the board, staff,
political entities, parents, business leaders, and stakeholders that make up the
community. The successful candidate will be known for his/her fairness, honesty,
high integrity and character. The successful candidate will be respected as a
leader who can engage, motivate, and manage a progressive school system to
internal and external audiences. The school board seeks a superintendent that
will be a strong role model for the community by being active in the community as
a person, committed to the growth of the Scottsboro School System, and a
champion for all students in all areas of their lives.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The Board of Education of the Scottsboro City Schools has selected BWP & Associates,
Ltd. to lead the search for a new superintendent. Please review the search listing and
complete the online application process at www.bwpassociates.com. The deadline for
completion of the application is October 15, 2014. It is anticipated that candidate
interviews will take place in November. The Scottsboro Board of Education prefers
candidates have a doctorate degree, experience as a principal and as a classroom
teacher. Applicants are required to hold or provide evidence of eligibility for an Alabama
superintendent’s certificate. Candidates are encouraged to obtain information about
requirements for certification from the Alabama State Department of Education at
www.tcert.alsde.edu or by calling 334/353-8567.
Application should include:
- A letter of application indicating qualifications and reasons for interest in the position:
- A brief description of major accomplishments;
- A current resume
- A completed Applicant Data Form;
- College/university transcripts; and
- At least four letters of recommendation.
Compensation
The Scottsboro City Board of Education expects to negotiate a competitive salary and
benefits package with the salary range anticipated to be $125,000-$150,000, depending
on the candidate’s experience, accomplishments, possession of characteristics as
outlined above, and credentials.
Application materials will be treated confidentially. Candidates are asked not to contact
the members of the school board nor the superintendent. The final selection and
appointment is the sole responsibility of the Scottsboro City Board of Education.
If you have questions, please call or email the following BWP consultants:
Dr. Sandra Sims-deGraffenried at 334/546-5455 or [email protected]
Dr. James Jeffers at 334/799-0186 or [email protected]
Dr. Annie Wyatt at 334/750-3001 or [email protected]
BWP & Associates, Ltd.
872 South Milwaukee Avenue, #221
Libertyville, IL 60048
To learn more about the Scottsboro school system, go to:
Scottsboro City Schools (www.scottsboroschools.net)
Impact Learning Center ([email protected])
Jackson County Tourism ([email protected])
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce (www.jacksoncountychamber.com)
City of Scottsboro (www.cityofscottsboro.com)
The Clarion (www.theclarion.org)
The Daily Sentinel (www.thedailysentinel.com)
Jackson County Economic Development (www.jacksoncountyeda.org)
Public Library of Scottsboro (www.scottsborolibrary.org)
Northeast Alabama Community College (www.nacc.edu)
Scottsboro City School system is an equal opportunity employer.