Announcement of Vacancy Superintendent of Schools West Baton Rouge Parish School Board

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1 Announcement of Vacancy Superintendent of Schools West Baton Rouge Parish School Board ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY SUPERINTENDENT Port Allen, OF LA EDUCATION Anniston City Schools R A F T Continuing the tradition of excellent educational opportunities, the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board seeks an outstanding educational leader to serve as superintendent beginning no later than August 1, 2014, after the retirement of its current superintendent. As Chief Executive Officer of the West Baton Rouge Parish Public School System, the superintendent will perform those duties set forth for superintendents in Louisiana. The West Baton Rouge Parish Public School System provides excellent learning opportunities for a diverse student population in grades K-12 as well as in Head Start which serves three-year-olds and prekindergarten which serves four-year-olds. The system operates 5 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a total enrollment of approximately 4,000 students. Students in the West Baton Rouge Parish Public School System have shown consistent improvement on standardized tests and other measures of achievement. The success of the system can be attributed to excellent and caring teachers and administrators. The two high schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI)/AdvancED. The West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce s Education Division initiated the Academic Excellence Fund which collected over $500,000 to support additional educational programs for Parish students and teachers. West Baton Rouge Parish is home to Louisiana Technical College and Baton Rouge Community College is located nearby. The state universities -- Louisiana State University and Southern University -- are located across the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge. These institutions for higher learning provide cultural, educational, and research opportunities that enhance the quality of life for residents of West Baton Rouge Parish. West Baton Rouge Parish public schools have established partnerships with these local universities and colleges. To ensure students success for their learning experiences, many professional development opportunities are provided to teachers to help them identify and use effective teaching strategies. The school system actively pursues grant opportunities resulting in literacy and math coaches being assigned to schools along with other resources to strengthen instruction. Three schools participate in the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP), and other schools participate in Literacy Development Collaborative (LDC) and Math Development Collaborative (MDC). Evening snacks are available for elementary students to take home. Financial stability, the involvement of the community, the support of the Parish s leaders, and the dedicated and excellent staff are the strengths of the West Baton Rouge Parish Public School System.

2 ABOUT THE COMMUNITY West Baton Rouge Parish has about 24,000 residents and encompasses several vibrant communities including the city of Port Allen and the towns of Brusly and Addis as well as some unincorporated areas. West Baton Rouge Parish offers small town tranquility with easy access to the conveniences and services of the capitol city, Baton Rouge. The Parish has major manufacturing and chemical corporations and one of the largest deep water ports in the world. As West Baton Rouge Parish continues to grow, an outstanding leader with vision is needed to continue to move the progressive educational system forward into the future. West Baton Rouge Parish is a part of Baton Rouge s metropolitan area, and Parish residents have ready access to restaurants, sports, art, music, theatre, festivals, and dance. West Baton Rouge Parish, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, is across the river from Baton Rouge and is 84 miles northwest of New Orleans. The Parish has numerous outdoor recreational opportunities provided through the West Baton Rouge Parks and Recreation Commission. West Baton Rouge is also rich in cultural arts as it is surrounded by the beautiful natural resources of the mighty Mississippi River. The area boasts of the Mississippi Riverfront Development, which is used by the community for entertainment and recreation events. It is also home to the nationally accredited West Baton Rouge Museum. CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALITIES SOUGHT IN THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board seeks candidates who embody the following characteristics and qualities: LEADERSHIP: The superintendent will engage city leaders, community leaders, parents, administrators, teachers, staff, students, and all stakeholders in all aspects of the school system. The superintendent will be dedicated to high standards and expectations for all students and be able to demonstrate a record of improving student learning. Leadership for this system, which has a record of continuous improvement in academic achievement, includes the effective expansion and application of technology to enhance the system s goals. The new superintendent will have the ability to analyze, with the help of the professional staff, all instructional programs and innovative practices to ensure continued growth in academic successes. The board wants a strong leader who will allow the current employees to continue to grow as educators and leaders. The system is seeking a leader knowledgeable in technology and additional career technical opportunities. The successful candidate will have demonstrated success in working with children from diverse backgrounds, children in poverty, children with special needs, and/or children facing other issues impacting student success, and the candidate working with the staff will continue to raise test scores with all students. Leadership in this community includes getting to know the faculty, staff, support personnel, students, parents, and the community.

3 COMMUNICATION: The successful candidate will be a good listener and will be approachable and personal in interactions with all stakeholders both at the schools and in the community. The successful candidate will be able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, to cultivate and strengthen the trust that exists in the community and build consensus by bringing people together from all facets of the community. The school system has strong partnerships with many businesses and industries in the Parish. The successful candidate will be an inclusive person with an open door policy for all constituents. Communication in this environment includes being visible in the schools and in the community. VISION: The superintendent will evaluate all aspects of the public school system and develop a shared vision to move the system forward emphasizing academic achievement for students and professional development for faculty and staff. The superintendent will work collaboratively with the staff and the community to ensure that the best strategies are utilized to increase student achievement and meet the education needs of all students. The board seeks a candidate who can lead development and implementation of a facilities improvement plan and who has the ability to delegate responsibilities to achieve maximum effectiveness. MANAGEMENT: The superintendent will be responsible for managing the system including the evaluation of personnel and the evaluation of programs. The superintendent will work collaboratively with the staff and the community to ensure that the best practices are utilized to continue to increase student achievement and meet the education needs of all students. He/she will work to develop a strategic plan that implements the goals established in working with the school board and stakeholders. The superintendent will lead the school system to efficiently and effectively assign its fiscal and human resources to prioritized initiatives and programs that benefit students and stakeholders. He/she will work closely with the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board to develop policies and procedures to make sure communication lines are open to all stakeholders. The superintendent s management style will empower administrators, teachers, and staff to perform their duties with his/her support and guidance in moving the system to maximum academic and financial achievement. PERSONAL QUALITIES: The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board seeks a highly visible, energetic, courageous, collaborative leader who will be a champion for the schools and is committed to doing the best for all students. The superintendent must have the insight and empathy to work harmoniously with the board, staff, political entities, parents, business leaders, and the various and diverse stakeholders who make up the community. The successful candidate will be known for his/her fairness, honesty, high integrity and character, and be respected as a leader who can engage, motivate, and manage a progressive school system and staff while highlighting the many positive aspects of the school system to internal and external audiences. The school board seeks a superintendent who will be a strong role model for the community by being active in the community as a person, committed to the growth of West Baton Rouge Parish, and a champion for all students in all areas of their lives.

4 PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING MATERIALS FOR CONSIDERATION The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board has selected BWP & Associates, Ltd. to lead the search for a new superintendent. Please review the search listing and complete the online process to submit a statement of interest at The deadline for submitting all materials is April 15, It is anticipated that candidate interviews will take place in May. The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board requires that candidates hold a Louisiana superintendent s certificate by the deadline of April 15, 2014 in order to be eligible for consideration for the position. Candidates are encouraged to obtain information about requirements for superintendent certification from the Louisiana State Department of Education. Candidate materials should include: - A letter indicating qualifications and reasons for interest in the position: - A brief description of major accomplishments; - A current resume - A completed Data Form; - College/University transcripts; and - At least four letters of recommendation. Compensation The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board expects to negotiate a competitive salary and benefits package depending on the candidate s experience, accomplishments, possession of characteristics as outlined above, and credentials. Materials will be treated confidentially. Candidates are asked not to contact the members of the school board nor the superintendent. The final selection and appointment is the sole responsibility of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board. If you have questions, please call or the following BWP consultants: Dr. Sandra Sims-deGraffenried at 334/ or sandrahsims@gmail.com Dr. James Jeffers at 334/ or jjeffers1@elmore.rr.com Dr. Annie Wyatt at 334/ or anniewyatt@charter.net Dr. William Symons at 843/ or wsymons@mac.com BWP & Associates, Ltd. 872 South Milwaukee Avenue, #221 Libertyville, IL 60048

5 To learn more about the West Baton Rouge Parish Public School System and the community, go to: West Baton Rouge Parish Public School System West Baton Rouge Parish Chamber of Commerce West Baton Rouge Parish Council City of Port Allen Town of Brusly Town of Addis District Performance Scores School Performance Scores School Performance Scores Individual School Report Cards The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board is an equal opportunity employer.