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  • Position Description for the position of Superintendent of Schools Sarasota County Public Schools, Sarasota County, Florida – Qualifications/Criteria/Timeline

    The School Board of Sarasota County, Florida is seeking a highly qualified visionary Superintendent to lead the District.  The Superintendent will serve as a student-oriented and transformational leader who will successfully address the concerns and issues communicated by the entire school community and residents throughout the County with an understanding of how the State of Florida designates grades for each of the District’s schools and the County as a whole.  The Sarasota County School District is a fully accredited school system that is located on the west coast of Florida.  The District has 57 schools and is recognized as one of the top School Districts in the State of Florida.  The District has received a school grade rating of an ‘A’ since the onset of Florida’s Accountability System; one of only two districts to do so.  Florida’s Accountability System is based on academic indicators of high performance on state assessments, acceleration and graduation rate.  Outstanding educational programs and co-curricular activities are offered to students throughout the District at all grade levels.

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

    Enrollment: 48,823

    Location: West coast of Florida, Sarasota

    Salary:  Regionally competitive salary based on experience and qualifications

    The Qualifications
    The candidate must have the background, skills, and abilities essential for excellence in educational leadership to include high expectations, being data-driven and maintaining a culture of accountability throughout the District. Experience as a Superintendent or served in a District administrative leadership position in an economically diverse, comparably sized District is preferred.  A doctorate is preferred and a Florida Superintendent certification – or eligibility for it – are required as is a residing in the County. The Board is seeking a candidate with the following required characteristics:

    1. An individual who has strong leadership skills and the adaptability to create positive change within the District resulting in closing any existing achievement gaps.
    1. An educational leader who is an honest, effective communicator who values transparency with an understanding that the District is an integral component of the County with an emphasis of collaborating with County organizations such as Foundations, Community Partners, County Elected Officials and all stakeholders within the school community.
    1. A data-driven educational leader with a demonstrated track record of school district improvement to include areas such as primary school reading achievement and growth in learning for English as a Second Language and exceptional learners including students with special needs.
    1. A visionary leader who is an effective planner and has demonstrated success in strategic planning and a commitment to make the Sarasota County School District the best in the State of Florida.
    1. A fiscally responsible educational leader with demonstrated success in budget development and the effective, efficient and responsible utilization and allocation of District resources. 

    Search Timeline: TIMELINE AND SUBJECT TO REVISION IF REQUIRED:

    Closing date for applications:
    May 18, 2023 (11:30 p.m. central time)

    Monday, June 5th – 9:00am – 3:00pm

    • Special Work Session
    • Superintendent Search Matters
    • Board Chambers

    Monday, June 12th -  9:30am – 5:00pm

    • Special Work Session
    • Interviews with the Superintendent Search Finalists
    • Board Chambers

    Monday, June 12th -  6:00pm – 8:00pm

    • Open House at Pine View School

    Tuesday, June 13th

    • One-on-one interviews with School Board members (closed to the public)

     Wednesday, June 14th – 9:30am

    • Board Meeting – Superintendent Decision Day!
    • Public comment on the selection of the superintendent will be permitted at this meeting prior to the selection.

    Monday, June 26th – 9:30am – 11:30am

    • Special Board Meeting  -  Superintendent Contract (tentative)

     

    Contact information:

    McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C.
    11725 Arbor St., Suite 220
    Omaha, NE 68144
    888-375-4814
    Email: apps@macnjake.com

    District Website:  
    http://campusreturn.foscode.com          

    Consultants: Dr. Ralph Ferrie
    r_ferrie@macnjake.com

    Dr. Marjorie Wallace          
    m_wallace@macnjake.com

    Dr. Steve Joel                        
    s_joel@macnjake.com

    Dr. Michele Hamilton          
    m_hamilton@macnjake.com

    Sarasota County School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability and, when needed, will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Anyone requesting reasonable accommodation in the application or recruitment process please contact McPherson & Jacobson at the address/phone/email above.