St. James School District Superintendent Search
Public information to distribute through:
District web site
Social media
E-mail staff and parents
Press release to media outlets
Other communication channels throughout the district
The School Board of St. James Public Schools is conducting a search for a new superintendent. The School Board contracted with the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) to guide and provide assistance throughout the process.
The School Board met on April 8, 2025, to plan the search. An important part of the search process is gathering input for the Board to consider as it moves forward in selecting the new superintendent, and here are two ways you can engage in the search process:
1. SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SURVEY
An anonymous public survey is now available for all interested parties to fill out between April 10 and April 17, 2025. Click here to complete the St. James Public Schools Superintendent Search Survey. Hard copies of the survey are also available at the district office in St. James. Please return any completed surveys to the same location by April 17 so they can be included with the online survey results.
Following the survey deadline of April 17, MSBA will summarize and provide an overview of the responses for presentation to the School Board.
2. VIRTUAL QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION WITH MSBA
To ensure all constituents in the district have access to accurate information regarding search processes and expectations, MSBA hosted a virtual Q & A at 4:00 pm on Monday, April 14. Click listen to a recording of the Zoom session.
Please feel free to contact Amy Jordan, MSBA Associate Director of Leadership Development and Executive Search, at 507-479-9984 with any questions. Thank you for your interest and participation in the superintendent search process!
Timeline
April 8, 2025 (5:30 pm, Special Meeting)
Planning meeting – Board adopts search timeline, reviews hiring criteria and search procedures
April 10 – April 17, 2025
Public Input survey open online and in hard copy
April 10 - April 28, 2025
MSBA posts opening on local, regional, and national websites, advertises position vacancy, receives applications, and responds to applicants’ inquiries
April 14, 2025 (4:00 pm – will be recorded)
MSBA hosts informational Q&A session on Zoom – will be recorded for viewing throughout the search
April 15, 2025
MSBA holds Search Preview mtgs w/ district leadership
April 23, 2025 (2:00 pm, Special Meeting)
Board meets for interview training, and to discuss public input report, interview questions and procedures
April 28, 2025
Application Deadline
April 29 – May 6, 2025
MSBA conducts screening, preliminary verification of references, pre-interviews of recommended applicants
April 30 – May 6, 2025
Board members review applications
May 6, 2025 (1:00 pm, Special Meeting)
Board meets to determine finalists, interview questions and procedures; MSBA reviews interview training
May 12 and 14, 2025 (4:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Special Meeting)
Board conducts first round of interviews
May 16, 2025 (4:00 pm, Special Meeting)
Board conducts reference checks and holds second round of interviews; Board selects lone finalist and sets negotiations process
May 17, 2025
Board designee begins negotiations of employment contract
May TBD, 2025 (Time TBD, Regular or Special Meeting)
Board meets to approve employment contract
July 1, 2025
New superintendent reports to work
August 1 – December 31, 2025
New Board Team attends MSBA Transition Workshop