By Rupert Howell
North Panola Schools actively began their search for a new superintendent Monday night when that school district’s board of trustees adopted criteria and a time line for filling the position presently being occupied by State Department of Education appointee Robert King of Lafayette County.

Although trustee Chris Fairlee has been elected by the trustee board as its president at last month’s meeting, King conducted Monday’s meetings at the request the new board president.
Board members heard a lengthy explanation of the superintendent search process from Dr. Harold Fisher, Superintendent Search Consultant with Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA).

That association conducted the search that landed Superintendent Tim Wilder at South Panola last year.

Trustees agreed to minimum criteria for applicants including education and administrative experience and will begin advertising the opening through MSBA media outlets.
The search will also include a questionaire that will be sent to school parents and other “stakeholders” in the community.

Fisher estimated posting the opening and requirements would occur March 10 with applicant interviews with Dr. Michael Waldrop, Executive Director of MSBA, in early May.

A report will then be issued to the school board who will set interviews for top candidates after May 12. Trustees are looking to have a superintendent in place by July 1, the beginning of the district’s fiscal year.