Kosciusko School District

Kosciusko School District Appoints Dr. Zachary Bost as Superintendent

Kosciusko, MS (June 24, 2022) — Dr. Zachary Bost, who currently serves as principal of Petal High School, has been appointed as the new superintendent of Kosciusko School District (KSD). Dr. Bost’s appointment came after a three week search conducted by the Mississippi School Boards Association. The board selected Dr. Bost after narrowing the list from 15 applicants to five finalists who were interviewed by the board.

“During the superintendent search process, we, as a board, kept our focus on our criteria and on the input from the stakeholder groups,” said James Medders, KSD Board President. “We feel confident we have chosen a leader who understands the work of a successful school
district, who values building relationships, and who is committed to being a visible and active member of the community. Dr. Bost’s track record of success and his experiences at both the elementary and secondary levels will benefit our district. We are eager for him to get to know our remarkable students, our dedicated staff, and our supportive community. We look forward to many years of collaboration in order to make Kosciusko School District the best place in which to learn and to work.”

Dr. Bost’s background of experience includes serving as a principal at both the elementary school and high school levels. He began his education career in 2010 as a science teacher and coach at Wayne High School where he was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2014. As assistant principal at George County High School, he was responsible for facilitating professional development and the oversight of the academic departments. His other work in the area of professional development includes working as a facilitator for the Performance Group and presenting modules on Cooperative Learning and Differentiated Instruction.

In his four years as principal at Central Elementary in George County School District, Dr. Bost moved the school from a “C” ranking to an “A” accountability ranking through a vision of strong school culture, developing the whole child, and delivering on high expectations.
Throughout Dr. Bost’s career, he has earned numerous awards, including the 2019 Mississippi Association of Educators Principal of the Year and 2019 Edmentum Educators Rockstar Principal.
 

“I am looking forward to strengthening connections with the various stakeholder groups,” Dr. Boast said. “We will work together to reinforce the tradition of excellence which has been valued and expected in KSD. Our most important resource is our students, so a major initiative for me will be to listen to the voices of our teachers, administrators, parents, and community to develop ways to provide our students with every opportunity for success.”

He received his doctorate and Ed.S. degrees in Educational Leadership from William Carey University, his M.Ed degree from Arkansas State University, and his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University.

Dr. Bost and his wife, Katie, have a personal connection with Kosciusko. They were married at the First Baptist Church and still have family who live in the community. They are excited to return to be a part of the district and the community.
Dr. Bost will assume his leadership position as superintendent of the Kosciusko School District on July 1, 2022.

Updated: June 10, 2022

Superintendent Search News Release – June 9, 2022

The Kosciusko School District Board contracted with the Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) to assist in the search for the new superintendent of the Kosciusko School District.

An announcement advertising the superintendent vacancy and outlining the basic qualifications for the superintendent, which were set by the Board, was prepared by MSBA and posted online at the MSBA website with the application on May 13, 2022. MSBA sent an email to over 5,000 people on the MSBA mailing list announcing the search and requesting assistance in publicizing the vacancy.  The vacancy announcement was sent to the National Superintendent Searchers Association, which posted it on their website.  All inquiries to MSBA were answered.  

The deadline to receive applications was set as May 27, 2022.  All completed applications which were submitted on or before the deadline were accepted and processed. Four stakeholder meetings were held on May 17, 2022, for administrators, teachers, parents, and community and business members to answer questions and to receive input.  An online survey was made available for two weeks to the district’s stakeholder groups in order to gather information regarding the characteristics of the new superintendent and priorities for the district.  Results from all surveys were compiled by MSBA and provided to the Board members for use in the interview process and as a foundation for making the decision as to who will be the new superintendent.

Mrs. Denotris Jackson, MSBA Executive Director, and Dr. Tommye Henderson, MSBA Superintendent Search Manager, met with the Board to review the applications on June 9, 2022.

There are 15 applicants for the superintendent position.  Among the applicants are one superintendent, three assistant superintendents, three directors, one coordinator, and seven principals. Nine of the applicants have a doctorate degree. Ten of the applicants are male, and five of the applicants are female. Fourteen of the applicants are from Mississippi, and one applicant is from Arizona.

A determination was made as to whether each applicant met the qualifications to be a superintendent in Mississippi as defined in the Mississippi Code of 1972, 37-9-13, which went into effect on July 1, 2017, or met the Mississippi Department of Education Alternative Qualifications for Prospective District Superintendents of Education.

References were checked, and background checks were completed. Personal contacts were made to gain additional information about each applicant. 

Each application was reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated according to the criteria set by the Kosciusko School District board members, which included evidence of experience in an “A” or “B” school or district, a recent documented track record of raising the achievement level of all students, evidence of the ability to use data to improve student achievement, skill as an effective communicator, experience in human resources, budgeting, federal programs, and athletics/extracurricular activities, the ability to recruit, retain, and invest in the development of highly qualified personnel, and the commitment to live in and to be an active and visible member of the community.

The Board members received the report and all application materials.  Board members will use the report and materials to determine the next course of action.

Superintendent Search News Release – May 20, 2022

The Kosciusko School District Board contracted with the Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) to assist in the search for the new superintendent of the Kosciusko School District. A digital brochure advertising the superintendent vacancy and outlining the basic qualifications for the superintendent, which were set by the Board, was prepared by MSBA and posted online at the MSBA website with the application on May 6, 2022.  MSBA sent an email to over 5,000 people on the MSBA mailing list announcing the search and requesting assistance in publicizing the vacancy.  The vacancy announcement was sent to the National Association of Superintendent Searchers, which posted it on their website. 

Applications are being received through a digital format accessed on the MSBA website. The deadline to receive applications is May 27, 2022.  All completed applications submitted on or before the deadline will be accepted and processed.  Each application will be reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated according to the criteria set by the Kosciusko School District board, which includes evidence of a recent documented track record of raising the achievement level of all students in a district and also having served 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 under the Mississippi A – F Accountability System.

A determination will be made as to whether each applicant meets the qualifications to be a superintendent in Mississippi as defined in the Mississippi Code of 1972, 37-9-13, which went into effect on July 1, 2017, or met the Mississippi Department of Education Alternative Qualifications for Prospective District Superintendents of Education. Other criteria include evidence of the ability to use data to improve student achievement, skill as an effective communicator, ability to develop a climate of trust/openness with all stakeholders, the ability to recruit, retain, and invest in the development of highly qualified personnel, and a demonstrated focus on student outcomes, student needs, and student well-being. References will be checked and personal contacts will be made to gain additional information about each applicant. 

Three meetings for stakeholder groups were held on May 17, 2022.  Dr. Tommye Henderson, MSBA Superintendent Search Manager, met with principals, administrators, teachers, district staff, parents, and the community to receive input regarding superintendent selection. 

An online survey will be available for two weeks to the district’s stakeholder groups, including teachers, administrators, parents, and community/business members, in order to gather information regarding the characteristics of the new superintendent and priorities for the district.  Results from all surveys will be compiled by MSBA and provided to the Board members for use in the interview process and as a foundation for making the decision as to who will be the new superintendent.

Mrs. Denotris Jackson, MSBA Executive Director, and Dr. Tommye Henderson, MSBA Superintendent Search Manager, will meet with the Board to review the applications after the interview process and the final confidential report is compiled. Board members will use the report and materials to determine the next course of action.

MSBA does not provide the names of the applicants or the number of applicants to anyone other than the school board. MSBA does not make recommendations to the Board
regarding superintendent selection.