An Invitation to Apply for the Position of

Superintendent

Webster Groves, Missouri

The Position The Webster Groves School District, Webster Groves,

Missouri, Board of Education, is seeking a highly qualified

superintendent of schools. The Board wishes to have the

successful candidate assume the responsibilities of the position

on July 1, 2016.

McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., Executive Recruitment and

Development has been engaged as the consultant in a search for

outstanding candidates. The firm will assist the Board of

Education in identifying and screening the candidates.

The Qualifications

Candidates must have the background, skills, and abilities

essential for excellence in educational leadership. Webster

Groves is a high performing district and was recently recognized

as one of the top districts in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The

district scored an impressive 98.6% on the state Annual

Performance Report. The Board recognizes that selecting a

superintendent is one of the most important decisions it will

make. The Board developed the following desired

characteristics:

Demonstrates integrity, leadership, strong interpersonal

skills, a charismatic personality, confidence and

approachability

Understands and values the culture of the Webster Groves

School District, but will not let traditions stand in the way of

improvement

Is a skillful and effective communicator, exhibiting

exceptional speaking and listening skills

Encourages and embraces the input of all stakeholders and is

eager for and open to constructive feedback (including from

those patrons without children attending Webster Groves

School District)

Celebrates diversity and treats others with respect and

fairness, while fostering an inclusive atmosphere for

students, staff and patrons

Visible to the students, staff and district communities

The Webster Groves School District will offer a competitive

salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.

The Community The Webster Groves

School Dis t r i c t

community includes

the cities of Webster

Groves, Rock Hill

a n d p a r t s o f

Shrewsbury, Warson

Woods and Glendale.

In this community,

schools come first.

People move here for excellent schools, small

town friendliness and strong community spirit.

The area, in suburban St. Louis, is known for

great neighborhoods, with homes ranging from

stately Victorian mansions with wraparound

porches to quaint brick bungalows.

The community, which is home to a

broad spectrum of socioeconomic groups, is

known for strong support of the arts,

outstanding recreational opportunities, Opera

Theatre St. Louis, the

Repertory Theatre

of St. Louis, and

higher education as

world headquarters of

Webster University.

The area offers plenty

of recreational opportunities with parks, 160

acres of open green space and three bird/nature

sanctuaries. The Webster Groves Recreation

complex includes a community center and

outdoor pool complex as well as a year-round

ice arena.

The Webster Groves Art Commission has

brought several pieces of art to public spaces

and the community Arts Foundation sponsors

an Art & Air Fair in June. In the fall, the

community hosts the Old Webster Jazz and

Blues Festival, a family-friendly music festival

that showcases St. Louis’ most talented

performers plus food from local establishments.

Downtown Webster

also hosts the Old

Webster Street Dance

in the summer, put on

by local merchants.

District website http://www.webster.k12.mo.us The District The Webster Groves School District, one of the oldest

in St. Louis County, serves 4,417 students in Webster

Groves, Rock Hill and parts of Glendale, Shrewsbury

and Warson Woods, Mo. The district, the product of a

diverse, close-knit community, is known for its

excellent faculty and high performing students as well

as a curriculum that offers the best in traditional and

innovative programs. This area has a long tradition of

placing a high value on public education. In fact, in

Webster Groves, the schools came first, predating incorporation of the city. The district

has been cited 11 years in a row by the state of Missouri for “distinction in performance,” the highest accolade a

public school district can receive. Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services has named the district “an

academic outperformer.” Student achievement has always ranked above state and national averages and 95 percent

of the class of 2015 enrolled in college. Three district schools have received Gold Stars from the state of Missouri

and the district preschool was honored as the number one early childhood program in the state in 2010-11 by the

Missouri School Boards’ Association.

The district employs 28 administrators, 335

certified teachers and 193 classified staff

members. It has one high school, one middle

school, one sixth grade center, six elementary

schools and one preschool. Webster Groves High

School offers a full-range of extra-curricular clubs

and sports. Assessed valuation is $734 million. The

district operating budget is $56.3 million.

The Board of Education The Webster Groves School District Board of Education consists of seven community members elected to

three-year terms. The tenure of the board members ranges from one to seven years.

Name Occupation Years Served

Mr. David Addison, President Vice President and Head of 4 years

Business Development

Ms. Amy Clendennan, Vice President School Attorney/Shareholder, Private Practice 4 years

Mr. Emerson Smith, Member Credit Union Vice President 7 years

Mrs. Jean Dugan, Member College Instructor 3 years

Mr. Steve Loher, Member Chief Financial Officer 5 years

Mr. Joel Oliver, Member Sr. Development Manager 2 years

Mr. Michael Shipley, Member Parent 1 year

Mission Statement

The Webster Groves School District community is committed to academic and

personal success for every student.

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 contact board members directly. 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 Timeline:

Closing date for applications: January 4, 2016 (11:30 p.m. central time)

Board of Education selects finalists to interview: January 19, 2016

Finalists interview with the Board of Education: January 25-28, 2016

Selection of new superintendent: February 2016

Start date: July 1, 2016

Webster Groves School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

7905 L St., Suite 310, Omaha, NE 68127

Phone: (402) 991-7031 Fax: (402) 991-7168

E-mail: mail@macnjake.com www.macnjake.com

APPLICATION & SELECTION

PROCEDURE available at www.macnjake.com