JMCSS superintendent search continues

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Jackson-Madison County School Board provided details Thursday of the survey parents took about what they wanted in the next superintendent.

After meetings with the community, search consultant Tammy Grissom came up with a list of proposed criteria to discuss with the board.

She says making sure the community is involved in the search for the new superintendent is important.

“We conducted meetings with and had a community forum where we asked folks what they would like to see in a new superintendent,” she said.

The need for a new leader came after current superintendent Verna Ruffin announced she would not be renewing her contract.

Grissom says though the new superintendent wouldn’t start until next year, they need to begin the search now because it is a lengthy process.

“We want to go ahead and get the job vacancy posted so our office can start collecting resumes and screening those and reporting back to the board,” Grissom said.

The board went back and forth on whether to make it a requirement the candidates be local.

Some board members said having someone who knows the area would be an advantage, while others argued it might rule out the best candidate.

“My thinking is if we can’t find someone local, we will just start going out from here to find the best person to serve our school system,” board member George Neely said.

The board ultimately decided to leave “local” preference out of the criteria.

The board also voted to require candidates to have a master’s degree in education and set the minimum salary range of $160,000.

The TSBA will conduct screenings and bring back the best five candidates to be interviewed.

The deadline for applications will be Jan. 16.