Superintendent of Schools

Summary

The Ferguson-Florissant School District Board of Education is seeking a Superintendent of Schools with a proven track record of successfully addressing critical issues in a large, urban school district with a wide range of ethnic and socio-economic diversity. The Board is also targeting a decisive, data-driven educator who demonstrates a student centered focus on the core business of teaching and learning, under the lens of equity. The next Superintendent will effectively collaborate with the Board of Education, staff, and community leaders to execute the Strategic Plan, while pursuing the vision and mission that elevates all learners to achieve excellence. A successful candidate will value accountability in designing and charting a clear course of action while mobilizing the necessary resources to implement sound educational and fiscal responsibility programs. The Board seeks an energetic and inspiring team leader who can rebuild trust among staff and the community, while having exemplary management skills who will energize others through appropriate and effective delegation of responsibilities.

The Board intends to appoint a Superintendent who will unify a wide variety of community constituents including students, educators, business leaders, and public officials. The FFSD Board of Education also expects to appoint a visionary leader who thinks critically, listens attentively, communicates clearly, prioritizes strategically, values consensus attained from considering a wide range of diverse perspectives, can address our fiscal concerns, and has a strong sense of the St. Louis North County region, specifically the Ferguson-Florissant area.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a proven educator who:

• Embraces efficient and sound management practices while recruiting and retaining an expert team of educational leaders who appropriately distinguish responsibilities emanating from the federal, state, and local levels.
• Employs effective strategies of communication so decision makers stay fully informed of the relevant issues that demand priority attention.
• Practices principled but pragmatic leadership by demonstrating priority commitment to students, staff members, and school leaders with evidence that all work is student focused.
• Establishes and maintains a professional climate and culture of collaboration and mutual accountability.
• Mobilizes, energizes, and collaborates with teams of leaders to transform challenges into creative problem solving opportunities.
• Builds and sustains coalitions across governmental agencies and departments as well as with office staff of community municipalities, state legislators, and other elected officials.
• Promotes a visionary agenda that anticipates educational challenges and addresses strategic priorities through active engagement in the governance process.
• Thinks strategically, values diverse opinions, and balances resources and expertise to satisfy the varying needs of the district across a broad, and diverse spectrum of cultural and socioeconomic perspective. 
• Models leadership as evidenced by attention to detail, timely response to constituent concerns, and respect for dissenting perspectives.
• Demonstrates trust in team leaders by delegating responsibility and supporting the need for continuous improvement through reasonable and appropriate measures of accountability.
• Networks productively with other school superintendents to build on successful experiences in benchmark districts with similar circumstances.
• Utilizes the power of technology as a tool to expand and enhance teaching and learning as well as empower all constituents with real time data to drive improvement strategies.
• Is knowledgeable of the current field of professional research literature pertinent to the issues and solutions needed to address educational needs in the district.
• Listens attentively to constituents and stakeholders, and communicates regularly with them on a variety of issues, challenges, and opportunities. 
• Communicates in a clear and concise manner with local, and national media; delivering and making public presentations; and building rapport with external audiences.
• Demonstrates ability to develop and manage complex budgets, clarifying details as necessary with professional staff, community stakeholders, and elected leaders.
• Eases tensions and disarms critics with an effective and appropriate sense of humor.
• Leads ethically by example through strength of moral character, and unquestioned integrity.

Application Criteria

The successful candidate will meet or exceed the following qualification criteria and preferences:

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a public school teacher position; 
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a public school administrative position (e.g. principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent);
• Doctorate of Education or Philosophy of Education Degree (EdD or PHD);
• Demonstrated personal and professional leadership in the administration of public education;
• Other requirements: experience, maturity, and leadership abilities in appropriate facets of administration; awareness of the needs and objectives of the District, its Strategic Plan, and the ability to supervise and evaluate the work of others. 
• Proven ability to:
• effectively administer, implement, and monitor the Strategic Plan;
• show commitment to excellence in student achievement, effective learning and thinking skills, and under the lens of equity;
• exercise effective leadership with the Board of Education in goal setting, long and short range planning, and policy development; 
• demonstrates a student-focused commitment to sound educational programs; 
• serves a good-will ambassador for the District;
• effectively articulate the District’s mission;
• possess personal integrity, self-confidence, and concern for people;
• maintain high expectations for the Board of Education, staff, students, parents, and community;
• serving as a responsible steward of the taxpayer’s resources; and
• executing the work that raises student achievement by focusing on the needs of all students.
• Qualifies for or holds a Missouri Professional Administrative Certificate with a superintendent certificate endorsement. 

Compensation

Compensation for this position will approximately be in the range of $215,000 - $235,000 with additional benefits as part of the full compensation package. Additional consideration may be considered for a qualified and preferred candidate. The Board is open to a multi-year contract, up to no more than three (3) years. 

The Ferguson-Florissant Board of Education encourages all qualified candidates to apply by the deadline of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. 

Application Materials, Questions, or Information

For more information, all correspondences, and to apply, contact:

Board of Education

Ferguson-Florissant School District

kmmartin@fergflor.org 

Interested candidates shall submit, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22nd:

• Cover Letter specifically addressing the stakeholder feedback - Please carefully review the profile and community feedback by clicking here: https://www.fergflor.org/Page/6075. 
• Personal Vision Statement for the District
• Resume
• 5 Letters of Support from varying individuals and roles (e.g. teacher, parent, supervisor, union president, Board of Education member, etc.)
• 3 References with contact information

The Board of Education is committed to finding the best candidate to serve as the next Superintendent of Schools.

Salary : $215,000 - $235,000