About this role
POSITION: Superintendent ORGANIZATION: District Five Schools of Spartanburg County, South Carolina (the District; District Five) has a rich heritage of excellence in every aspect of educational and extra-curricular endeavors. It is one of the top performing school districts in the southeastern US in academic achievements. Located midway between Greenville and Spartanburg, serving the cities, towns, and municipalities of Duncan, Lyman, Reidville, Moore, Startex, Wellford, and Greer. District Five has experienced steady and dynamic growth in the past 20 years and is now home to a vibrant international manufacturing and industrial community. Alongside the area's economic growth, the enrollment of District Five Schools has increased by approximately 43% since 2000 and now serves approximately 11,000 students of diverse backgrounds and economic means. District Five is composed of 14 schools: eight elementary schools (grades K-4); four middle schools (grades 5-8); a freshman academy (grade 9); and a high school (grades 10-12). There are plans for one additional elementary school and another middle school to be added in the next few years. District Five is dedicated to a focus on educational excellence. The Mission of Spartanburg District Five Schools is to provide every student with a quality educational experience in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. Each day, the District strives to be the best it can be, living out its motto: “Every child...every day,” and knowing education is one of the greatest investments for the community's children. For more information about District Five Schools of Spartanburg County, please visit District Five's website, https://www.spart5.net. REPORTS/RELATIONSHIPS: District Five Schools of Spartanburg County is governed by a nine-member, nonpartisan elected Board of Trustees (the Board). Board members are elected to four-year terms. The Board is responsible for providing vision and leadership to ensure students receive the best available educational opportunities to improve their quality of life by establishing policies and monitoring the operations of the District. The Superintendent is appointed by, and reports directly to, the Board. The Superintendent is ultimately responsible for leading and managing, either directly or indirectly, the District's approximately 1,100 employees system wide. BASIC FUNCTIONS: The primary responsibility of the District Five Superintendent, per Board policy, is to serve as:
• The executive officer of the school district.
• The leader and accountable officer for all personnel of the system.
• The liaison between those personnel and the Board.
As the Chief Executive Officer for the District, the Superintendent is responsible for working with the Board to establish the strategic direction for the District and then assume responsibility for the implementation of that strategy, accomplishment of stated objectives, and the overall day-to-day operations of the District. The Superintendent is also the liaison between the District's employees and the Board and is the leader accountable for all personnel within the system. The Superintendent is charged to inspire, lead, guide, and direct the administrative, instructional, and operational support services teams in setting and achieving the set standards of excellence so that every child is provided a quality educational experience in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. Specific duties will include, but not necessarily be limited to:
• Routinely visit the schools as often as practical to stay abreast of trends, issues, and celebrations, as well as observe the work of staff in the school setting.
• Administer the continued development, refinement, and maintenance of a positive, innovative educational program designed to meet the needs of all of the community.
• Recommend policies, guidelines, and procedures for adoption by the Board and implement and execute the policies, guidelines, and procedures adopted by the Board.
• Ensure that the District is staffed with highly qualified and competent people who provide quality programming and instruction designed to meet the goals and objectives of the District.
• Make recommendations to the Board with respect to school accommodations/ facilities, boundaries for school attendance, and student assignment to the various schools.
• Prepare the annual budget for Board approval. Provide strategic and operational business and financial leadership to the district in order for the district to operate in a financially responsible manner consistent with all state rules and regulations.
• Conduct continuous study of the development and needs of the schools and keep the Board and public informed.
• Develop and promote opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships between the district and a diverse group of community stakeholders.
• Represent the schools before the public and maintain communication that keeps the public informed. Seek appropriate opportunities to promote the district in the community and the region at large.
• Adhere to local, state, and federal laws; serve as the primary liaison with state and local government officials and representatives regarding legislation and appropriations affecting the district.
• Coordinate with other six school districts in Spartanburg County in areas of shared responsibility and resources.
• Continually investigate, support, and implement innovative and appropriate uses of technology.
• Perform such other duties as the Board may direct.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Energetic, enthusiastic, and exhibits a passion for educating young people and for the educational process.
• Visionary leader who exhibits innovative thinking with the necessary skills and abilities to help the District pursue its mission.
• Superior management and leadership skills; ability to revise/develop/maintain good management policies.
• Humility; willingness to listen, understand, and place the needs of the District ahead of self-interests.
• Superior human relations skills: visible and approachable; creates an atmosphere of acceptance; builds consensus and loyalties across a diverse group of stakeholders; community-oriented; transparent in interactions with the community; politically astute and savvy; ability to understand the political dynamics of the community.
• Effective written, oral, and social media communication skills; ability to communicate to internal and external stakeholders; good listener.
• Ability to recruit, develop, and retain highly qualified employees and lead others to do the same.
• Strong planning and concept development skills; strategic, creative, innovative thinker yet organized with the ability to prioritize appropriately.
• Appropriate financial acumen and financial management skills.
• Good decision-making skills; understanding of data and data analysis in good decision making; courage to make tough/necessary decisions.
• Knowledgeable in the use of technology as an educational and administrative tool.
• Seeks personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Appropriate educational credentials; terminal degree preferred.
• Established residency in District Five to enable connections to the community as a whole.
COMPENSATION: Compensation will be commensurate with experience including a competitive base salary,benefits, and relocation assistance. To make a nomination, provide a referral, or for additional information, please use the contact information below. To apply, please submit a resume and/or vita, and cover letter, to:
Coleman Lew Canny Bowen 6101 Carnegie Blvd., Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28209 [email protected] Harrison Plott, Consultant 704.918.9632
Discrimination of all persons is prohibited with regard to employment and any other program or activity on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, color, immigrant status, English speaking status, or disabling condition in District Five Schools of Spartanburg County as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended.