22 people apply for open CPS superintendent position

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

There are 22 applicants for the open superintendent position at Columbia Public Schools, the Missouri Schools Boards’ Association shared during a presentation at Monday Night’s Board of Education meeting.

CPS has been in search of a new superintendent since the district announced in November that Brian Yearwood would step down. The district said it would pay Yeardwood $667,268.90 on Jan. 1, in addition to unused paid leave and his health insurance through COBRA. CPS is paying MSBA $20,000 to help in the search.

Ten of the 22 applicants are from the state of Missouri, 13 have superintendent experience and 20 have doctorate degrees, the MSBA presentation shows. MSBA previously said it hoped to have at least 20 candidates.

CPS posted a survey on its website in December that asked community members what they sought in a new superintendent. The survey closed on Dec. 29.

MSBA said in the presentation that it received 1,276 responses from community members.

Top expectations for the next Superintendent included, according to the presentation:

• Strong community involvement, collaboration, and building trust (690 mentions)
• Ensuring teacher support, retention, and empowerment (654 mentions)
• Focus on students, including academic success and student well-being (501 mentions)
• Effective and visible leadership, including decision-making (470 mentions)

The most important personal traits includes demonstrating ethics and integrity, demonstrates collaborative leadership and is approaching, accessible and welcoming, results from the survey indicate.

Most important professional skills and qualifications that are sought from the community include:

• Recruits, hires, supports, develops, and retains effective staff members (732)
• Advocates publicly for school district needs and public education (675)
• Fosters community for teachers and staff (672)
• Effectively works with school administrators (548)
• Promotes a community of care and support for students

Applications will be reviewed this week and the field will be narrowed down for screening interviews next week. Interviews with finalists will occur the week of Feb. 10.

View slides from the presentation below: