Why the Springfield district tapped retirees to fill two key leadership roles

Timing appears to be a major factor in why Springfield Public Schools opted to employ two pairs of retirees — working part-time — to fill key leadership positions for the 2019-20 school year.

Such arrangements are fairly rare.

SPS tapped a pair of retired area superintendents, Stephen Kleinsmith and Kent Medlin, to serve as co-deputy superintendents of academics to replace Mike Dawson, chief learning officer. Dawson resigned in May to take a job in Branson.

Two retired Springfield principals, Judy Brunner and Steve Seal, will team up to serve as co-principals at Central High School to replace Lisa Anderson, who announced in late February plans to step down.

Stephen Hall, chief communications officer, said the late resignations left the district with limited time to identify permanent replacements. He described using the retirees for the upcoming year as a "very creative, positive solution."

Hall said the retirees selected for the one-year posts have proven track records and will allow the district to continue to search for permanent hires without losing ground. "We have really exceptional leaders who can help us move forward."

Last week, the News-Leader requested details about the effort to fill each positions, why the district opted for this approach, and how work duties will be split. Answers by district officials were provided by email.

Under state law, public school retirees can work part-time in districts — up to 550 hours a year — and still draw a pension.

"Missouri law allows the option of having retirees serve on interim or temporary basis," said Penney Rector, chief human resources officer. "In situations such as these, this option affords districts the opportunity to bring in experts in the field to serve."

Filling the Central job

Central High is home to the academically rigorous International Baccalaureate program and the Scholars program, which serves intellectually gifted middle school students in grades 6-8. U.S. News recently ranked Central the top high school in the Ozarks and No. 31 in Missouri.

According to the district, there were 12 applicants for the Central job including two from out-of-state and 10 from Missouri; two were internal candidates.

Springfield had three high school principal jobs open this year. For context, there were 17 applications for Glendale and 10 for Hillcrest.

"Several candidates were interviewed for the Central positions," Rector said. "Unfortunately, the most qualified candidates were not available to start for the 2019-20 school year."

Rector said, as a result, the district opted to hire a pair of retirees so it had extra time for the "position to be posted, interviews conducted and the most qualified candidate could be afforded an opportunity to make the personal or professional decisions needed to be available for the 2020-21 school year."

Brunner, who retired in 2006, previously served as principal of Wilder Elementary, Reed Middle School, and Parkview High School. Steve Seal, who retired in 2003, previously served as principal of what was then Study Middle School and was an assistant principal at Central.

"Mrs. Brunner and Mr. Seal are highly regarded leaders who know the district and have remained involved with the district staff, students and families," Rector said. "They bring a strong work ethic, a desire for success and outstanding track records as leaders."

Anderson, now an assistant principal at Glendale High, was paid $113,764 for last year. Brunner will make $56,864 and Seal will make $56,302 for this year.

Shane Dublin, executive director of secondary learning, said Brunner will be primary and oversee professional development, teacher evaluations, and safety and security. Seal will oversee athletics, activities, faculty meetings and personnel.

He said they will work together to share supervision, support students, and implement the School Action Plan.

"Judy and Steve determined the division of responsibilities based on their strengths and professional experiences, of which they both had much to offer," he said.

Filling the cabinet-level job

As chief learning officer, Dawson was part of Superintendent John Jungmann's four-person cabinet.

Dawson announced plans to resign two months ago to take a similar job in Branson, creating a void. 

According to the district, there were 26 applicants for Dawson's job including 18 from Missouri and eight from out-of-state. There were no internal candidates.

"A number of credentialed candidates applied and were considered," Rector said. "However, given that most district administrators seek and accept jobs during January, February and March — peak hiring season — and are under contract well before May, the district opted to wait to fill the position."

In mid-June, Jungmann personally reached out to Medlin, who spent 32 years in public education including 13 as superintendent in Willard before retiring two years ago, as well as Kleinsmith, who has 40 years experience and retired a year ago after 18 years as the Nixa superintendent.

Rector said both Kleinsmith and Medlin are familiar with the Springfield district. Medlin previously worked at Reed and Hillcrest.

"Each brings significant experience and excellence to the position and will continue to move the district forward," she said. "We are excited to learn with and from these two tremendous leaders."

Dawson was paid $148,977 last year. Kleinsmith and Medlin will each be paid $65,000 for the 2019-20 school year.

"The district will advertise the position broadly during the fall and will seek to hire before the best qualified candidate is under contract with another district," Rector said.