An Invitation to Apply for the Postion of SUPERINTENDENT All materials must be submitted online by February 7, 2021. THE POSITION is dedicated to providing an excellent education for all students. We seek a Superintendent who serves as the chief executive officer for the operation and control of all schools, agencies and activities under the jurisdiction of the Columbia Board of Education.

This individual should believe in the following compelling purpose: Every child will graduate college-ready, career-ready and life-ready. In order to accomplish this, candidates for this position must believe in high-level collaboration and shared leadership, and should have a history of leading with empathy, compassion and a growth mindset.

This is a great opportunity for a visionary and collaborative leader to join a team of professionals who are dedicated to providing the best education for all students. The Superintendent for Columbia Public Schools will provide leadership, administrative support and program guidance for all educational programs pre-k - 12 and career education.

Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Search 2021 ABOUT COLUMBIA, MO. Columbia was incorporated in 1826 and is the county seat of Boone County. Columbia is home to the University of , the flagship campus, and several other college campuses.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Columbia is a great place to live with a low cost of living, excellent education system, outstanding health care facilities, abundant entertainment opportunities, beautiful parks and trails and much more. Columbia’s centralized location offers quick access to St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as the State Capitol, Jefferson City, and the beautiful vacation getaway, Lake of the Ozarks. Columbia is also minutes away from a host of historic towns and state parks featuring boating, fishing, hiking, biking and more. Columbia's downtown area features restaurants and unique shopping experiences, many of which Southern Living Magazine has highlighted over the years. Columbia is consistently rated among the top cities in the nation by national magazines and organizations: Great Place to Retire from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance 20 Must-see Literary Destinations Around the World from Adviser in July 2020 Expedia Viewfinder in March 2018 The Most Educated City from Insurify in July 2019 Best Place To Live in Every State from MSN.com in January The Fastest-growing city in Missouri from MSN in April 2019 2018 One of the Best Places to Retire in 2019 from Forbes in April Top 100 Best Places to Live from Livability.com in January 2019 2018

Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Search 2021 Columbia’s students excel in the classroom and in their post- ABOUT THE DISTRICT secondary education careers. Nearly 85-90 percent of Columbia Public Schools is the fifth-largest school district in Columbia students extend their education beyond high school. Missouri. It includes 21 elementary schools, seven middle Seventy-eight percent attend a college, university or post- schools, four high schools and the Columbia Area Career Center, secondary program. Student performance on the ACT and SAT as well as an early childhood education program, with an exams exceed state and national averages. In 2019, 91 percent enrollment of 19,052 students. of graduates took the ACT. Additionally, of the 1,337 students The school district is accredited by the Missouri Department of taking advanced placement courses, more than 80 percent Elementary and Secondary Education, citing such educational earned college credit. advantages as: Our district’s teachers represent the primary reason Columbia’s schools and students are so successful. More than 72 percent of teachers hold a master’s degree or higher and an average of 12.5 years of professional experience. The community understands the importance of maintaining a high-quality educational program. Most recently, bond issues were passed in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020. A tax levy increase received voter approval in 1999, 2003, 2012 and 2016. Columbia Public Schools is also ranked as a top 10 district for exemplary and innovative use of Technology by the National School Boards Association and ranked in the top 10 percent of school districts nationwide by Niche.com.

Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Search 2021 ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS We will be fiscally responsible with taxpayer money. We will partner with the community to help children enter school ready to succeed. Students will read on level by the end of third grade. We will actively support student transitions. Students will graduate with the necessary skills to enroll in college and/or a career program of their choice. Ninety percent of students will attend school at least ninety percent of the time. Out-of-school suspension numbers will decrease for all student groups. Students will demonstrate academic progress as measured by state accountability systems.

CPS BOARD OF EDUCATION EQUITY STATEMENT

Columbia Public Schools, through action and in partnership with families and the community, will uphold the values, policies, and practices that promote cultural competence. We will accept, embrace, and empower students and staff in their individual identities to establish and sustain human dignity, justice, equitable treatment, and inclusiveness in the classroom and workplace.

Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Search 2021 ENROLLMENT, STAFF and FACULTY FACTS 16 students to classroom teachers 41.09% Free or Reduced-Price students to administrators Lunch 236 19,052 th 7.0% STUDENTS 5 Largest English Language School Learners PK – 12 District 13:1 9.8% in Missouri student to teacher ratio Special Education 48.1% 51.9%

5.2% 0.5% Asian American Indian/Alaska Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 6.7% 42 1,205 Hispanic BUILDINGS (FTE)

8.7% Student Support secretaries Multi-Race 116 aides (FTE) food service guidance Administration security 1,420 parent educators (FTE) principals nurses assistant principals transportation Teachers directors 2,879 custodians (TOTAL) supervisors classroom teachers technology 20% 58.9% coordinators special services permenant subs central office instructional coaches Employees AVID tutors Black White STUDENT ACHEIVEMENT

Percent of students with at least ACT COMPOSITE SCORES 90% attendance

82.5% 89.8% Attendence Rate CPS 21.4 In 2019, 91 percent of Columbia Public Schools 1,903 National graduates took the ACT 89.0% AP EXAMS 20.7 compared to 76.69 percent of Missouri Graduation Rate WERE TAKEN graduates. Missouri 20.6

AIMSWEB READING 1,337 & MATH RESULTS 55.5% 54.4% Kindergarten AP STUDENTS Percent of students Literacy ENROLLED scoring above the 40th percentile.

GRADUATE FOLLOW-UP All students graduate college-, career- and 62.7% 64.9% 81.1% life-ready. 78% of the district’s students Kindergarten Reading 22.2% attend college or a post-secondary program. Numeracy 3rd Grade EARNED A 3 OR HIGHER

10.4% 10.2% 1.6% 1.2%

4-Year 2-Year Employed Military Post-Secondary Other 67.9% 64.0% College College Training Math Reading Program 2nd-10th grades 2nd-10th grades HIGHLIGHTS DISTRICT ACHIEVEMENTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

DISTRICT RECOGNIZED FOR BUDGETING EXCELLENCE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CHAMPIONS Columbia Public Schools has been recognized by The Association of FFA Missouri Veterinary Science Career Development Event: Mattie DaHaven () School Business Officials International with the Meritorious Budget won first place and Gentry Duncan () won second place. They are joined by Award for the 2019–2020 budget year. The award promotes and fellow team members Emily Zimmerschied (Columbia Area Career Center) who placed in recognizes the best budget presentation practices in school districts. fifth, and Kaya MacLeod (Rock Bridge High School) who placed in twelfth. The district was also awarded the certificate of excellence in financial DECA State reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Competition 72 students NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED TEACHERS qualified Oakland Middle School Teacher Melissa Fike was honored with the Milken Educator Award for her exceptional 6 teaching. Alex Soper, Hickman High School physics teacher, received the Physics Teacher Education Coalition National Teacher of the Year Award. CPS has 11 educators who hold national board certification. Merit NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS Finalists NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSION WORK Jacob Galen Coberly, Rock Bridge High School In 2019, Columbia Public Schools was awarded the Magna Award for Equity Programs for its work with the Caleb Foster, Outstanding Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition. The district earned first place recognition among Mary K. Grossmann, Rock Bridge High School Delegate Award medium-sized school districts from across the country. The Magna Awards, sponsored by the National Model United Nations Crystal H. Odor, Rock Bridge High School School Boards Association and the American School Board Journal, recognizes school districts for their efforts Amira McKee Fletcher S. Orr, Hickman High School Rock Bridge High to remove barriers to achievement for vulnerable or underserved children based on race, ethnicity, gender, School Inessa E. Verbitsky, Rock Bridge High School special needs, geography or socioeconomic status. 2020 VALEDICTORIANS ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES ACHIEVEMENTS

ROCK BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL BATTLE HIGH SCHOOL Rock Bridge High School Girls’ Swimming 400 Freestyle Olivia Anderson Maelyn Andreasen Relay Team won the MSHSAA Class 2 Swimming State Ansley Barnes Aya Bellaoui Championship. Team members: Elise Henderson, Kate Bushnell Daniela Calle Olivia Henderson, Ansley Barnes and Mara Manion Will Cover Yin-Tzu Chen Grace Dyer Nevin Dubinski James Glaser A.J. Huskey (Battle High School) won the MSHSAA Class Ty Leroux Chengrui Hou 1 Individual 100-Yard Fly Swimming State Championship. Madeline Schrader Benjamin Kimchi Nicholas Sheaffer Will Linder Oakley Lorson (Rock Bridge High School) won the Audrey Mueller MSHSAA Class 2 Individual 200 Freestyle Swimming Greta Scheidt State Championship. Rock Bridge High School Girls’ Bailey Stover HICKMAN HIGH SCHOOL Basketball Team went to its Marin Tucker first Final Four appearance Carolyn Ford (Rock Bridge High School) won the MSHSAA Toan Vu Sierra Calfee since 2017. Team members: Class 4 Individual Cross Country State Championship. Naomi Garson Kate Linnemeyer, Kyrah Brodie, Hannah Larson Averi Kroenke, Mary Primus, Seven CPS students were selected for the inaugural Kristina Sidorova Sanaa’ St Andre, Caitlin Hayes, Missouri All-State Children’s Choir. Students are: Carmen Grace Spell Eryn Puett, Samantha Mackley Atkins, Mihir Bhalla, Zane Bragg, Parker Horvatich, Manager: Megan Henry Isabel Trindade Natalie Huggler, Calla Shade and Keegan Shaw. BOND PROJECTS THROUGH THE YEARS DISTRICT STATS & FACTS

GROWTH SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS

In a growing community like Columbia, it’s imperative to have public support to fund projects and Middle school athletic equity improvements at Oakland, Smithton and Gentry improvements. Columbians consistently rise to the challenge, voting for bonds and levy increases so our children can have the best educational experiences possible. From the gradual elimination of trailers to Locust Street Elementary School addition/renovation the construction of new schools, Columbia Public Schools is committed to having high-quality facilities Oakland Middle School renovations and learning environments. Midway Heights School remodel

Douglass High Safety and security improvements across the district School Renovation

Shepard Boulevard Elementary School Center for Early Addition Learning – North

Locust Street Alpha Hart Lewis Battle Elementary Rock Bridge High Expressive Arts Elementary School School School Stadium Addition and Renovation 3,540,702 SQUARE FEET OF BUILDING SPACE 2010 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Battle High School West Boulevard Cedar Ridge Elementary School Elementary School Addition 2,119,241 square feet of roofs Two High School Gym Additions Breaking Ground on Rock Bridge New Middle School Beulah Ralph Elementary Elementary School School Addition 799 acres maintained Grant Elementary Planning School Addition

John Warner Middle School Opens 173 NUMBER OF TRAILERS 123 By 2021, there will be less 65 than 20 trailers in Columbia Public <20 Schools.

2006-07 2013-14 2017-18 2021-22 DEADLINE AND SELECTION SALARY AND BENEFITS All materials must be submitted online by February 7, 2021. The salary will be in the range of $250,000 and include an excellent comprehensive benefits package. The final salary for Materials submitted as part of the superintendent application will the successful candidate will be negotiated and determined remain confidential to the extent allowed by law, which includes board based upon proven experience, qualifications and meeting review in a closed session of the Board of Education. After the Board criteria. consulting firm reviews all of the applications and has conducted preliminary interviews, the names of the semifinalists will be presented to the Columbia Public Schools Board of Education for its DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS consideration. Selection of candidates for final interviews is the sole All employees of the District are expected to adhere to the responsibility of the Board. Persons wishing to be considered for the policies and regulations of the Board of Education, maintain position should submit an application file online including: appropriate certification and competencies necessary for the A letter of application stating personal qualifications, experiences, position, and demonstrate the values of the district at all and reasons for interest in the position. times. For information on policies, regulations and values, The online application form and a resume. visit http://www.cpsk12.org. 4 letters of recommendation Columbia Public School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply online at: www.rayassoc.com The Columbia Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, Questions should be directed to: Ray & Associates, Inc. religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, 901 17th Street NE PO Box 10045 disability, age, or use of leave protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act, in its programs, activities, or with regard to employment. The Columbia Board of Education is an Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401 equal opportunity employer. Inquiries regarding Columbia Public Schools’ compliance with Email: [email protected] IDEA and Section 504 regulations should contact Special Services at 1818 West Worley, Columbia MO, 65203 (573) 214-3462. Please do not contact the Board of Education or District directly.

Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Search 2021