Position Description for Louisa Muscatine Community School District, Letts, Iowa

The School Board of the Louisa Muscatine Community School District, Letts, Iowa, is seeking a highly qualified, fully certified, educational leader to serve as Superintendent. The Board wishes to have the successful candidate assume the responsibilities of the position, July 1, 2025.

McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., Executive Recruitment and Development, has been engaged as the consultant in a search for outstanding candidates. They will assist the School Board in identifying and screening the candidates.

Enrollment: 800 students

Location: 141 miles East of Des Moines

The Qualifications

Approachable and Visible: Actively present in schools and the broader community, engaging with students, staff, and residents. They must prioritize building relationships and trust across the district’s diverse communities.

Strong Communicator: Transparent, timely, and consistent in communication with all stakeholders, addressing concerns clearly and keeping everyone informed about district initiatives and decisions.

Equitable and Inclusive Leader: Able to create and sustain a safe, respectful, and equitable environment for all students and staff, with a commitment to addressing issues like bullying and favoritism.

Integrity and Backbone: A principled leader who stands firm in the face of challenges, makes difficult decisions with compassion and fairness, and prioritizes the best interests of students.

Culturally Competent and Collaborative: Sensitive to the district’s rural and multi-community dynamics, capable of uniting stakeholders around shared goals.

Experience and Expertise:

Educational Leadership: In-depth understanding of rural education challenges, including funding, staff recruitment and retention, and open enrollment.

Community Engagement: Proven ability to foster partnerships with local businesses, community members, and families, creating a culture of trust and collaboration.

Policy and Governance: Expertise in navigating board governance, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and advocating for staff and student needs effectively.

Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution: Skilled at navigating sensitive issues with diplomacy, managing crises, and addressing systemic concerns like student discipline, bullying, and equity.

Personal Attributes:

Compassionate and Supportive: Demonstrates genuine care for the well-being of students, staff, and families, ensuring a supportive and positive district culture.

Forward-Thinking: Proactive in identifying and addressing emerging challenges and planning for the district’s long-term success.

Community-Oriented: Committed to embedding themselves in the community and becoming an integral part of its fabric, ensuring stability and consistency in leadership.

Preferred Background:

Professional Experience: Proven leadership experience, ideally as a superintendent or in a senior educational role, particularly in rural or multi-community districts.

Community Engagement: History of active involvement with local organizations and a demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships.

Innovative Thinking: Familiarity with leveraging technology and data to improve district outcomes and enhance communication.

Search Timeline:

• Closing date for applications: January 2, 2025 (11:30 p.m. central time)
• Board selects finalists to interview: January 13, 2025
• Interviews: January 17, 2025
• Selection of new Superintendent: January 17, 2025
• Start date: July 1, 2025

Contact information:

McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. 11725 Arbor Street, Suite 220

Omaha, NE 68144

888-375-4814

Email: a pps@macnjake.com

School Website: https://www.louisa-muscatine.k12.ia.us

Consultants: Stephen F. Murley s_murley@macnjake.com

It is the policy of the Louisa-Muscatine Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices.