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Superintendent Search
Columbus Municipal School District
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The Mississippi School Boards Association is currently conducting the Superintendent Search for the Columbus Municipal School District.
The Columbus Municipal School District is seeking an innovative and data-driven educational leader who has a proven record of raising student achievement, who has current, hands-on experience with the Mississippi accountability system, and who has demonstrated the ability to develop positive relationships with all stakeholder groups.
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DISTRICT DATA
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School District Rating: B
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Total Number of Students: 2,984
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Graduation Rate: 80.7%
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Per Pupil Expenditure: $6,695.34
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Number of Licensed Teachers: 243
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Total Employees: 538
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Student to Teacher Ratio: 12:1
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Total Number of Elementary Schools: 4
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Total Number of Intermediate Schools: 1
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Total Number of Middle Schools: 1
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Total Number of High Schools: 1
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Total Number of Career & Technical Centers: 1
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Total Number of Alternative Schools: 1
ABOUT THE DISTRICT
The Columbus Municipal School District dates back to 1821, with the opening of the first public school in Mississippi, Franklin Academy. The district’s mission is to provide students in the city of Columbus with a rigorous educational experience and focuses on maintaining an environment that is student-centered, and excellence driven.
The Columbus Municipal School District (CMSD) is embarking on a transformative initiative to enhance educational outcomes and infrastructure through a $36 million bond, overwhelmingly approved by voters in May 2024. This strategic investment aims to transition the district from a magnet school model to grade-span campuses, aligning with CMSD’s commitment to a student-centered, excellence-driven approach.
The bond will fund critical improvements across the district, including safety enhancements like sprinkler system installations, facility upgrades such as new gymnasiums, and essential renovations to support the grade-span reconfiguration. The transition to grade-span campuses is scheduled for completion by the 2027–2028 school year, consolidating elementary schools to better serve students at each developmental stage.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in CMSD’s mission to provide high-quality education and reflects the community’s strong support for the district’s vision.
The state-of-the-art middle school offers a comprehensive curriculum with a variety of electives including Mississippi’s first “We Build it Better” program which gives students hands-on experience with the inner workings of airplanes and flight sciences. McKellar Technology Center partners with East Mississippi Community College to prepare high school students for careers in automotive, carpentry, digital media, early childhood education, engineering, culinary arts, and the medical field.
After graduation, Columbus High School alumni excel in and out of the classroom. While still enrolled, CHS students have opportunities to participate in dual enrollment courses with Mississippi University for Women and East Mississippi Community College. Each year, CHS graduates students with numerous college credit hours, while some graduate with an associate’s degree. The CHS Athletic Department boasts recent state championships in men’s and women’s basketball. CMSD athletes continue to excel in individual sports including football, basketball, track and field, weightlifting, tennis, and more. These student athletes have exemplary records in the classroom with an average GPA of 3.0.
Years before the state initiative, CMSD started incorporating a coding curriculum for students at each grade level. Columbus Municipal School District continues to offer coding and computer science to all students. The district has made extensive efforts to invest in technology with the incorporation of a one-to-one program. CMSD provides each student and classroom teacher with a Windows laptop to help bridge the technological gap. Because every student has access to a laptop for class assignments, after-school tutoring or at-home projects, students can perfect technological skills that will extend beyond high school graduation.
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Columbus, Mississippi, located in Lowndes County, has a storied history of public education. The city is home to Mississippi University for Women, the first state-funded university for women, and Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, a state-funded school for academically gifted high school students. Columbus also boasts the first free public school in Mississippi, Franklin Academy, established in 1821.
While “The Friendly City” is popularly known for its rich history in education and the arts, recent years have seen a boom in industry. The city has experienced dynamic growth with major developments throughout the area, including an industrial region filled with economic drivers such as PACCAR, Columbus Air Force Base, Steel Dynamics, Aurora Flight Sciences, AirBus, International Paper, Aluminum Dynamics, Baptist Memorial Hospital, and more.
Columbus offers a number of recreational ventures throughout the city, including strolling the Riverwalk, kayaking the Tombigbee River, taking golf lessons at Lion Hills, or enjoying the rich culinary scene. The vibrant downtown life boasts annual events such as Market Street, Wassail Fest, Sounds of Summer, the Farmer’s Market, and more. A city with a population just under 25,000 offers citizens a small-town experience with larger cities such as Tupelo, Tuscaloosa, and Meridian, all about 60 miles away.
| | 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.
Applicants should not contact board members directly.
| | - Must meet criteria outlined in MS Code 37-9-13.
| | QUALIFICATIONS DEFINED BY THE BOARD | |
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- Evidence of a recent documented track record of raising the achievement level of all students
- A minimum of three years of experience in an “A” or “B” school or district or experience in moving a school or district to an “A” or “B” rating
- Is an advocate for students
- Skill as an effective communicator, including speaking, listening, writing, and technology
- Ability to develop a climate of trust/openness with all stakeholders
- Willingness to maintain an open-door policy with all stakeholder groups to benefit students and the district
- Ability to develop a formal process for communicating with stakeholders, including the board members
- Willingness to and ability to work cooperatively with the school board members
- Ability to develop a positive rapport, while providing strong leadership to administrators, teachers, and other school personnel
- Uses a team management approach
- Will reside in the school district with his/her family and is committed to becoming an active and visible member of the community
- Ability to engage parents and community stakeholders in the life of the school
- Knowledge of strategic planning, including development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting
- Has a track record of strong decision-making; is firm, fair, and consistent
- Ability to recruit, retain, and invest in the development of highly qualified personnel
- Has experience in developing a climate of high expectations and accountability
- Strong commitment to pursue academic innovations for all grade levels
- Honest and transparent; high moral and ethical standards of conduct; a strong work ethic
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APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 27, 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.
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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.
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MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
Denotris R. Jackson, Ed.D., Executive Director
380 Zurich Drive │ Ridgeland, MS 39157 │ 601-924-2001 │ msbaonline.org
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