The Sunflower County Consolidated School District is another step closer to finding its new superintendent, with the school board narrowing the pool of 17 applicants to four finalists.
The search, which began after the board contracted with the Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) in December, aims to fill the vacancy soon to be left by current superintendent, Dr. Miskia Davis.
Davis announced her impending departure in June last fall.
The MSBA posted the job announcement online on December 11, 2024, outlining the district's qualifications for the position. They also emailed over 5,000 people and contacted the National Superintendent Search Association to publicize the vacancy, according to an update by SCCSD last week.
By the January 10 deadline, the district received 17 applications. One applicant later withdrew. The remaining 16 candidates included two current superintendents, four assistant superintendents, one executive director, one director, one assistant director, one coordinator, one consultant, and six principals. Three held doctorate degrees.
On February 20, MSBA Executive Director Dr. Denotris Jackson and Superintendent Search Manager Dr. Tommye Henderson met with the school board to review the applications. They found that 15 applicants were from Mississippi, with the remaining two hailing from Massachusetts and Utah.
The MSBA conducted background checks and interviews, providing the board with detailed information on each candidate.
The board then reviewed the applications, considering state law requirements, defined board criteria, and feedback from a community stakeholder survey.
The board ultimately selected four finalists.
Interviews with these candidates will be conducted in the coming weeks. The district plans to announce the selected candidate to the community and county stakeholders once a decision has been made.
The district hopes to have the new leader in place before the start of the next school year.
