Simpson County School District

Superintendent Search

The Mississippi School Boards Association is currently conducting the Superintendent Search for the Simpson County School District.

The Simpson County School District is seeking an innovative and data-driven leader who is committed to making teaching and learning a priority. This leader must have a proven track record of raising student achievement, current, hands-on experience with the Mississippi accountability system, and a demonstrated ability to develop positive relationships with all stakeholder groups.

About the District

The Simpson County School District is accredited by the Mississippi Department of Education with a “C” rating. The mission of the district is to foster an environment that enables students to believe, achieve, and succeed every day. The district serves approximately 2,800 students and is the largest employer in the county. Simpson County School District has 9 campuses:

Magee Elementary School
Magee Middle School
Magee High School
Mendenhall Elementary School
Mendenhall Junior High School
Mendenhall High School
Simpson Central School
Simpson County Achievement Center
Simpson County Career & Technical Center

About the Community

Located in the heart of Mississippi, just south of Jackson and north of Hattiesburg, the communities of Simpson County are able to bring a small-town feel while still being close to the benefits of larger cities, all within a 40-45 minute drive. SCSD serves the communities of Mendenhall, Magee, D’Lo, Braxton, Harrisville and Pinola.

Mendenhall is the County Seat and home to the historic Simpson County Courthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Simpson County is also home to a campus of Copiah Lincoln Community College. The campus is located on U.S. Hwy 49 between Mendenhall and Magee, adjacent to Simpson Legion Lake.

Simpson County is an ideal location to live, work, and raise a family. Simpson County has excellent residential and commercial developments, churches, medical, and dental facilities to meet the needs of their communities. The friendly citizens, low crime rate, recreational opportunities, and small town atmosphere make Simpson County a great place to live and visit.

Applicant Criteria & Qualifications

The Superintendent of Education serves as the chief executive officer of the school district and is responsible to the Board of Trustees for ensuring compliance with all board policies and Mississippi State Board of Education rules and regulations, as well as state and federal laws.

Only applicants who fit the following criteria and qualifications defined by the board will be considered for the position.

MANDATORY LEGAL & SCHOOL BOARD CRITERIA

Must meet experience criteria outlined in MS Code 37-9-13
Has served as a principal for a minimum of three years in an “A” or “B” rated school, through the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Accountability System; five years of experience preferred, or
Has served as a superintendent or assistant superintendent within the past five years in a “A” “B”, or "C" rated school district, through the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Accountability System.

QUALIFICATIONS DEFINED BY THE BOARD

Recent documented track record of raising the achievement level of ALL students in the district through the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Accountability System
Successful experience with and understanding of financial planning, budget preparation, and budget management: district level preferred
Recruits and invests in the development of and the retention of highly qualified personnel; an understanding of the Education Employment Procedures Law (EEPL)
Experience with diverse populations and student needs; understanding of the challenges of a rural school district
Ability to implement a safe and orderly school climate through proper plans and procedures
Knowledge of strategic planning, including development, implementation, and monitoring
Ability to develop positive rapport, while providing strong leadership to administrators, teachers, and other school personnel
Ability to develop a climate of trust and openness with all stakeholders
Willingness to and ability to work cooperatively with school board members and to keep them informed
Possesses high moral and ethical standards of conduct
Ability to make difficult decisions
Effective communication skills including speaking, listening, writing, and technology
Is committed to becoming an active and visible member of the community

Invitation to Apply

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 18, 2025.

START DATE

The start date for the new superintendent will be determined by the board once the candidate is selected.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please be prepared to upload the following documents (PDF) into the application system:

Letter of Interest
Resume
Valid Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Administrator License
Current School District Employment Contract

To create your profile and begin the application process,

click the "Apply Now!" button.

APPLY NOW!

This school district is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all state and federal laws.

Applicants are subject to financial and criminal background checks as required by Mississippi law.

To learn more about the MSBA Superintendent Search Service, click here.

MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

Denotris R. Jackson, Ed. D, Executive Director

380 Zurich Drive │ Ridgeland, MS 39157 │ 601-924-2001 │ msbaonline.org