The search for a permanent Clinton County Schools Superintendent officially began last Thursday, March 24 during a special meeting of the Clinton County Board of Education. All board members were present.

The board conducted a 40 minute training type session on the process of selecting a permanent schools chief with Tim Eaton, Field Consultant with the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA).

Eaton, an experienced educator who has helped in the selection process of over 40 superintendents in Kentucky, including past schools chiefs here in Clinton County, reviewed the process, criteria and time lines of selecting a replacement for Tim Parson, who resigned last fall after serving only a short period as superintendent.

Dr. Paula Little has been serving as Interim Superintendent since last November and it was noted during the discussion the board could temporarily renew her stint in that position until a permanent replacement is named.

It isn’t known if Dr. Little will be among the applicants for the position, as applicants names are kept confidential until the time of hiring. Local boards of education can only hire two personnel in their capacity as board members, those being the superintendent and school board attorney.

The selection process, which can take several weeks or even a few months, includes advertising for the position, establishing a screening committee to review applications and conduct interviews and eventually make recommendations of finalists to the board.

Once final applicant names are submitted, the board itself will conduct interviews with those nominees and chose a permanent superintendent for the school district.

During last week’s pilot meeting on the superintendent selection process, Eaton told the board they could choose the amount of time–i.e., 15 days, 30 days, etc. in which to advertise the position.

Board member Bobbie Stone recommended the shorter window of a 15 day advertisement period, which the remaining board members agreed with.

The position began being posted on the KSBA and other outlets this past Tuesday, March 29, with the deadline to apply being Wednesday, April 13.

Eaton told the board that decades ago, when applications for superintendent vacancies were being taken, over 30 candidates applied, but in recent years, the numbers average about 10 to 12 per opening.

Also discussed was the time/date to start a new contract with the superintendent, with Eaton noting that generally a good time is July 1, which is the start of a fiscal year and easier to manage contract periods, whether it be just a year or up to four years.

The local screening committee has already been established. That committee requires a board member, principal, teachers, classified staff, parent and minority parent.

The local screening committee is made up of Kevin Marcum (board member); Kenny Dearborn (principal); Danielle Hicks and Michael Whittenburg (teachers); Jordan Fillingham (parent); and Sheila Massengale (classified).

The board also opted to “narrow down” the list of finalists to be interviewed by the full board to three candidates–leaving the option of adding and/or taking away one applicant, depending on the full screening committee’s recommendations.

The advertisement for the superintendent position will read as follows:

“The Clinton County Board of Education is seeking an innovative and motivational leader with strong proven leadership and a record of improving student achievement as its next superintendent. The successful candidate should have administrative experience and be an instructional leader who is committed to college and career readiness. It is important for the candidates to have the ability to effectively communicate with the staff and community during this pandemic to achieve district goals, as well as be visible in the community. The candidate should possess strong morals and ethics. Knowledge of budgeting, school finances, buildings and grounds, along with working knowledge of the Kentucky Education System are required.

The salary will be negotiable with the contract to begin on July 1, 2022.”

The board scheduled the first screening committee meeting for Wednesday, April 20 at 5 p.m. at the Clinton College & Career Center.

At this meeting, board chairwoman Leslie Stockton will review with the committee the process and criteria they need to follow, as well as the work involved in the process (reviewing applications, etc.).

The board and screening committee will meet again jointly on Thursday, April 28, at 5 p.m., with the board to receive recommendations, and the board planning meeting following.

The date for the full board to do candidate interviews will be set later.