An Invitation to Apply for the Position of

Superintendent

Heber Springs

School District

Heber Springs, Arkansas

The Position The Heber Springs School District, Heber Springs, Arkansas, Board of Education, is seeking a highly qualified and fully certified Superintendent. The Board wishes to have the successful candidate assume the responsibilities of the position July 1, 2020. McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., Executive Recruitment and Development has been engaged as the consultant in a search for outstanding candidates. They will assist the Board of Education in identifying and screening the candidates.

The Qualifications

The candidate must have the background, skills, and abilities essential for excellence in educational leadership. The Board recognizes that selecting a superintendent is one of the most important decisions it will make. The Board developed the following desired characteristics. The Heber Springs Board of Education is seeking a new Superintendent: 1. Who has successfully demonstrated a superb

understanding of Arkansas school finance, millage campaigns, and Arkansas school law, along with the ability to identify and pursue grants to enhance financial opportunities for the District.

2. Who has successfully demonstrated the ability to build strong relationships, develop good rapport with staff members, and be a catalyst for strengthening unity across the District and Community.

3. Who has successfully demonstrated the following skill sets: • Ability to develop a clear vision and direction

for the District and the Community • A strong academic background • High expectations for everyone • Data driven decision making • Ability to motivate all stakeholders • High Energy and strong work ethic • Creativity and imagination

4. Who has demonstrated success with Community engagement and the development of a strong public relations campaign.

5. Who has the ability to develop and implement an informative and constructive feedback loop with the Board of Education.

The Community The City of Heber Springs, with a

population of 7,165, is the county seat of Cleburne County. Heber Springs is located in the Ozark Mountain foothills of north-central Arkansas. The mountains serve as a stunningly scenic backdrop for fishing, boating, golfing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing and shopping in our historic downtown. You can be on the lake or river in 15 minutes from almost any point in Heber Springs or Cleburne County. There are more than 15 festivals and special events taking place throughout the year including the nationally recognized World Championship Cardboard Boat Races, named event of the year in 2015 and 2016 by the Arkansas Festival and Events Association. The city of Heber Springs has been awarded the “Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year” almost every year for the past two decades. This exceptional quality of life enjoyed by Heber Springs residents is enhanced by a low crime rate, small town convenience with larger city amenities close by in Little Rock and Conway, an exceptional school system, a two-year Arkansas State University campus and a full-service Baptist Health Medical Center.

Name Occupation Years Served Mrs. Judy Crowder Instructional Systems Specialist, VA 5 Mr. Kevin Thomas Sales Representative, Nobel Biocare 4 Mr. Bryce Farmer Banker, US Bank 3 Dr. Ryan Buffalo Family Physician 2 Mr. Jason Jones Business Owner 1

Board of Education

The District www.hssd.k12.ar.us

Heber Springs School District is 70 square miles and has sixteen routes. The current millage is 32.8. The annual budget for the district is approximately $14,500,000 and the total assessment is approximately $303,608,963. The district contains three schools on campus, Elementary, Middle, and High School; all are accredited by the Division of Elementary & Secondary Education. The student enrollment is currently 1,537. There are 124 certified personnel, 107 classified personnel, and 2 school resource officers. Programs include alternative learning education, ESL, ABC/HIPPY and gifted & talented. The district is a member of Arch Ford Cooperative.

Heber Springs Elementary has 708 students (grades K-5), 59 certified personnel and 13 classified personnel. Roxanne Riddle is in her fifth year as principal and her third year at the Arkansas Leadership Academy. The elementary school has an ESSA grade of B. MAP testing shows that kindergarten and first grade are scoring as well as or better than over 86% of the other students that take the MAP assessment in Reading. Kindergarten and First grade score the same as or better than 78% of the other students that take the MAP assessment in Mathematics. There is a drop in achievement for 2nd grade in both Reading and Math. Third grade is showing growth in Math (68%) but dropped a few percentages last year in Science (43%) and Literacy (Reading 40% / English 81%). Fourth Grade is on target to meet all of the 2020 goals with Reading at 54%, Science at 53%, and Math at 60%. Fifth grade Reading achievement is steady at 53% while Math (54%) and Science (52%) achievement continue to increase. The elementary boast an Honor Choir, 5th Grade Ambassadors, and Quiz Bowl.

Heber Springs Middle School has 376 students (grades 6-8), 28 certified personnel and 18 classified personnel. Principal Rita Watkins, a Heber Springs graduate, is in her 7th year as building leader. The school has an ESSA grade of “A” for the 3rd consecutive year and is a top 6-10% school in both growth and performance. The middle school offers basketball, track, football, cheerleading, and band as well as FBLA, FCCLA, Beta Club and Student Council.

Heber Springs High School has 457 students in grades 9-12, 38 certified employees and 10.5 classified employees. Principal Marc Griffin is in his fourth year of leadership, with Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Brad Reese in his twenty-ninth. The school has an ESSA grade of a "B” and is one point from an "A". Graduation rate fluctuates between 85 and 95 percent, depending on the year. The school offers a wide array of academic programs, including: GATE, concurrent classes (through the ASU-Beebe system), concurrent welding, five AP classes (Calculus, English, Literature, Biology, U.S. History), Medical Professional and Buildings & Trades classes/certifications; full programs of study for Family & Consumer Sciences, JAG, Business Education, and Agricultural Education; all 38 Arkansas Department of Education required course offerings; several credit recovery options; Spanish classes at levels I, II, and III. Extracurricular activities include Band, Theatre, Athletics, Cheer, Dance, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, FCA, BETA, Quiz Bowl, Science Club, Art Club, Student Council, Spanish Club, Interact Club, Drama Club, Robotics Club, and Yearbook Staff.

The Board of Education consists of five members, elected to serve five-year terms. The incumbency of the members ranges from 1 to 5 years.

APPLICATION

available at

www.macnjake.com

11725 Arbor Street, Suite 220 Omaha, Nebraska 68144

Phone: (888) 375-4814 Fax: (402) 991-7168 E-mail: mail@macnjake.com

An application for superintendent should include: A letter setting forth personal qualifications, experiences and reasons for interest in the position. A current résumé. A completed application form. Reference letters, certificates and licenses, and academic transcripts from colleges/universities indicating degree(s).

Candidates are asked not to directly contact board members. Any effort to do so may eliminate them from consideration. Names of applicants will be held in strict confidence whenever possible; however, McPherson & Jacobson complies with individual states’ Freedom of Information laws. In the final process, the school board may visit the district where the candidate is employed, but will not proceed without the knowledge and consent of the candidate.

Selection Time Line Closing date for applications: January 8, 2020 (11:30 p.m. central time) Board of Education selects finalists to interview: January 30, 2020 Interviews with the Board of Education: February 10-13, 2020 Selection of new Superintendent: Mid-February, 2020 Start date: July 1, 2020

Heber Springs 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 a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruitment process please contact McPherson & Jacobson at the address/phone/email above.