Video: SOCS Superintendent Search Continue

STARKVILLE, Miss(WCBI)—Well the search is on for the new Starkville Oktibbeha County School Board of Trustees to find the next superintendent.

After Dr. Lewis Holloway announced leaving the position the board enlisting a little outside help.

This morning in a special called meeting the board of trustees selected a search firm to assist with filling the position.

Now, a search firm is a method the board hopes will effectively cut down on the time, energy and headache of filling such an important role.

Many don’t know that a superintendent’s job spans over several schools at once. SOCS Board Of Trustees Member Dr. Lee Brand says that fact alone is why their board is seeking a helping hand.

” So what this firm will do is primarily search the south east but all over the country for the best possible candidate for superintendent that we could find. They bring back to us a pool of applicants and candidates that they have screened and vetted and then it’s up to the board to decided,”said Brand.

Finding a new superintendent is no easy task but Brand says the board is being just as selective of the search firm.

” What is their reach within the state it’s self but also what kind of nation wide foot print does the firm have McFearson and Jacobson the firm that we chose has both of those. They have instate accessibility and they also have a great reach into the nation,” said Brand.

Brand says he is confident that Mcfearson and Jacobson will provide their school system the best person for the job.

” The search firm that we’ve chosen this is all they do. The board will vote on who the superintendent but we don’t have the leg power or the foot print to go out and do a full blown search like them so they actually help the quality of the search,” said Brand.

Communication is key when choosing the next superintendent. Brand says the board doesn’t want to JUST hear from the search firm.

“This is a time where we need to hear from all the stake holders of our district. Because the superintendent is the person that’s the face of your district and this is the most important decision we’ll make as a school board,” said Brand.

Stakeholder meetings will begin in the next few weeks. The board is hoping to have a good pool of applicants before the holidays