The New Albany School District Board contracted with the Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) to assist in the search for the new superintendent of the district.
A job announcement advertising the superintendent vacancy and outlining the district qualifications for the superintendent, which were set by the Board, was prepared by MSBA and was posted online at the MSBA website with the application on February 6, 2024. Dr. Denotris Jackson, Executive Director of MSBA, sent an email to over 5,000 people on the MSBA mailing list announcing the search and requesting assistance in publicizing the vacancy. She also contacted potential applicants. The vacancy announcement was sent to the National Superintendent Search Association, which posted it on their website. Responses were made to those who had been recommended or who had expressed an interest.
The deadline to receive applications was set as March 6, 2024. All completed applications which were submitted on or before the deadline were accepted and processed.
There were 9 applicants for the superintendent position. One applicant withdrew after the deadline, leaving 8 applicants. Dr. Denotris Jackson and Dr. Tommye Henderson, MSBA Superintendent Search Manager, met with the Board to review the applications on April 8, 2024.
Among the applicants are one superintendent, three assistant superintendents, three principals, and one director. Four of the applicants have a doctorate degree. Seven of the applicants are male, and one of the applicants is female. All of the applicants are from Mississippi.
Each application was reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated according to the criteria established by the New Albany Board members. A determination was also made as to whether each applicant met the qualifications to be a superintendent in Mississippi as defined in the Mississippi Code of 1972, 37-9-13, which went into effect on July 1, 2017 or met the Mississippi Department of Education Alternative Qualifications for Prospective District Superintendents of Education.
Applicants who had not previously been interviewed by the MSBA Search Team were interviewed. Telephone calls and personal contacts were made to gain additional information about each applicant.
The Board members received the report and all application materials. Board members will use the report and materials to determine the next course of action.
