<strong>Important Notice:</strong> The Virginia School Boards Association is assisting the school boards below with the search process. Candidates should not make contact with individual school board members. Inquiries should be directed to Gina G. Patterson, executive director, Virginia School Boards Association, 200 Hansen Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911, 434-295-8722, or <a href="mailto:gina@vsba.org" data-cke-saved-href="mailto:gina@vsba.org">gina@vsba.org</a>.

<strong>Announcement of Superintendent Search</strong>

<strong>Isle of Wight County Public Schools</strong>

The School Board of Isle of Wight County Public Schools invites applications and nominations for the position of Superintendent.

<strong>The County</strong>

Isle of Wight County is one of the oldest counties in the United States.  Nestled on the shores of Virginia's James River, Isle of Wight's residents enjoy the rural nature of the county coupled with the quaint atmosphere of the two incorporated towns, Smithfield and Windsor.

<strong>The Division</strong>

Isle of Wight County Public Schools focuses on a school culture that helps each student develop their own unique gifts and talents. The school division values student and teacher voice and choice. Teachers employ a variety of approaches to meet diverse learners and recognize the value of all students working together.  A rigorous curriculum includes the integration of project-based learning, the merging of academic disciplines, as well as performance-based assessments. Students develop projects, solve problems, and present their findings to a wider audience through school-wide expos.

Students in Kindergarten through fourth grade participate in a literacy framework through the American Reading Company which focuses on individual and grade-level literacy instruction for every student using the gradual release model.  Teachers work with their students, track their literacy progress, and introduce literacy strategies to move students from where they are to where they need to be. The literacy framework incorporates reader’s workshop and writer’s workshop to ensure students are covering all the components of literacy.

The Isle of Wight County Schools’ Elementary Coding program introduces students in Kindergarten through 6th grade to a wide variety of coding languages and applications.  Students participate in weekly coding classes as part of the elementary resource schedule.  Coding experiences in the primary grades include the use of "unplugged" activities such as songs and games to give younger students concrete experiences to help explain abstract coding concepts.  All elementary students use online tutorials to solve coding "puzzles" and develop a problem-solving mindset for creating and debugging their programs. The coding and programming courses challenge students to think critically as they problem solve, analyze data, and apply logic. These skills are also critical for successfully solving complex math problems. Students also apply their coding knowledge in language arts projects that include storytelling and animations.  Other project-based learning topics in coding include game design and robotics.

Isle of Wight County Schools launched a significant redesign of the division’s Career and Technical Education program to better prepare students for college, careers, and life after high school.  Emphasis is placed on courses that satisfy career pathways and provide opportunities for industry certifications in demand by employers. Feedback from the business community indicated a shortage of high school graduates capable of collaborating on a team with little supervision, skilled at brainstorming for conflict resolution, adept at communicating effectively, and able to display a strong work ethic.  The program incorporates these skills into hands-on, real-world experiences, both in and out of the classroom.  New disciplines have been added in building trades, cosmetology, culinary, nurse aid, welding, early childhood education, and manufacturing.  Many of the programs are located in new facilities or renovated spaces with industry-standard equipment.

Isle of Wight County Schools is home to a working farm, known as the Land Lab, which is used to support the agricultural program. A full-time farm manager and agriculture teacher collaborate to provide authentic real-world learning in the areas of agricultural business management and mechanization, along with plant, animal, and soil science.  Students transformed the space from six acres of uncut grass, to four fenced pastures, a vegetable garden, and housing for chickens, rabbits, pigs, cows, and goats. Students receive real world experiences through the Land Lab, such as participation in “farm to table” marketing from the sale of farm products to the public and to the division’s culinary arts program.   In December 2018, the division opened a barn and classroom building at the Land Lab to enhance the learning experience for students.

The division’s emphasis on preparing students for a career after high school earned them recognition from several organizations.  In 2019, Isle of Wight County Schools received a Workforce Innovation Award from the Hampton Roads Workforce Development Board and a Workforce Readiness Award from the Virginia School Boards Association.

<strong>The Schools</strong>

The Isle of Wight County Public Schools serve approximately 5,600 students from kindergarten through grade 12 in five elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high school. Each school is fully accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.

Website: <a href="https://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/">https://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/</a>

<strong>Student Population:</strong>

Student enrollment is 5,600.

<strong>Total of Employees</strong>

758 including superintendent, full-time, part-time, and hourly employees

<strong>Division Budget</strong>

The current 2021/2022 operating budget is $64,400,000

<strong>Desired Qualifications</strong>

After seeking input from its Board members, parents, staff, students, and community, The Isle of Wight County School Board seeks a decisive and visionary educational leader with outstanding qualifications and characteristics as reflected below.
<blockquote>Doctorate preferred
Candidate must have at least 5 years of experience as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, acting superintendent, principal, or administrator
Candidates must meet the legal requirements to be licensed or be eligible for licensure as a superintendent in Virginia.
Candidates must agree to live or move within 50 miles of the IWCS Central Office
Candidate knows how to delegate authority but not responsibility
Candidate is a team builder
Candidate is not politically motivated but student motivated.
Candidate brings fresh ideas (examples: new CTE programs, new clubs, new sports etc.)
Candidate knows how to work with local governing body.
Candidate is articulate and a good communicator
Candidate is a decisive leader and deliberate in actions
Candidate has a vision for academic excellence
Candidate can handle complaints from parents in a successful way
Candidate is attentive and good listener
Candidate has ambition and is committed to student success
Candidate understands school finance
Candidate is a motivator of staff, students, and community
Candidate is confident in their actions and decisions
Candidate accommodates different perspectives
Candidate creates an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect
Candidate responds to concerns in an appropriate manner.
• Candidate promotes staff development and staff evaluation
• Candidate is skilled in developing business partnerships</blockquote>
Candidates must meet the legal requirements to be licensed or be eligible for licensure as a superintendent in Virginia. Questions concerning the eligibility requirement should be directed to the Office of Licensure and School Leadership, State Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218-2120, Telephone: (804) 371-2522.

<strong>Salary</strong>

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

<strong>Application Procedures</strong>

Application Procedures
Apply online: <a href="https://phl.applitrack.com/vsba/onlineapp/default.aspx?AppliTrackJobID=197&amp;ref=">https://phl.applitrack.com/vsba/onlineapp/default.aspx?AppliTrackJobID=197&amp;ref=</a>

Completed applications are due by May 27, 2022.

Candidates should not make contact with school board members. Inquiries should be directed to Gina Patterson, Executive Director, Virginia School Boards Association, 200 Hansen Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911, 434-295-8722 or gina@vsba.org.

<em>Equal Opportunity Employer </em>

<hr>

<h3>Applitrack</h3>
To view a list of all positions that are <strong>currently accepting applications</strong>, please visit Application Procedures
Apply online: <a href="https://phl.applitrack.com/vsba/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1">https://phl.applitrack.com/vsba/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1</a>

Applications for specific positions are linked below when available.
<h4>To be notified when Superintendent Searches are available, please contact Tom Brewster, assistant executive director at tom@vsba.org or 1-800-446-8722.</h4>

<hr>

<strong>Eligibility Requirements for Virginia Superintendents</strong>
IMPORTANT NOTE: To be appointed as a superintendent in VIRGINIA, one must be listed on the "Eligible List of Division Superintendents" approved by the Virginia Board of Education. <em><strong>The Board of Education only meets eight or nine times per year which can cause delays in processing the applications for licensure. We encourage you to reach out ASAP to the Virginia Department of Education. </strong></em>For information regarding this list, contact the Office of Professional Licensure, State Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218-2120, Telephone: (804) 371-2522.

Click <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="https://www.vsba.org/services/other_superintendent_searches" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.vsba.org/services/other_superintendent_searches">here</a> for searches not being conducted by VSBA