Superintendent Search
January 2, 2025
The Webster Groves School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jana Parker as its next superintendent. Dr. Parker, who was selected following an extensive nationwide search conducted in partnership with the Missouri School Boards Association, will assume leadership on July 1, 2025.
Dr. Parker brings a distinguished career in educational administration, curriculum innovation, and fostering inclusive learning environments. She currently services as executive director of curriculum and instruction at Highline Public Schools in Washington, where her leadership has supported advances in student achievement and supporting teacher growth. Her vision centers on ensuring all students have access to high-quality education in inclusive settings, with a focus on meeting the needs of those historically underserved.
Her dedication to academic excellence, equity, and staff engagement aligns seamlessly with the core values of our district and matches the feedback and qualities highlighted during our stakeholder surveys and focus groups.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jana Parker to the Webster Groves School District,” said Board of Education President Allen Todd. “Throughout the search process, her vision of what the academic experience in our district could look like and her commitment to our values stood out. As we evaluated the stakeholder feedback and the needs of our students now and into the future, the choice was clear. Dr. Parker is the right leader to guide the Webster Groves School District into the future.”
Dr. Parker holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her dedication to student success and her ability to build strong relationships with educators, families, and community members. She has also conducted numerous workshops on diversity and inclusion, reflecting her passion for creating equitable opportunities for all students.
Dr. Parker expressed her excitement about joining our district, saying, “Returning to Webster Groves feels like coming full circle—from experiencing the transformative power of this district as a parent to now leading it forward. Having worked in diverse districts across Missouri and Washington state, I recognize that Webster Groves' unique combination of academic rigor, innovation, and community spirit is both extraordinary and rare. I’m eager to build on this strong foundation, collaborating with educators, families, and community members to ensure every student thrives. For me, this isn’t just another leadership role—it’s an opportunity to give back to a community that showed my family what exceptional education truly means.”
Dr. Parker will succeed Dr. John Simpson, who is retiring at the conclusion of the school year. To ensure a smooth transition, Dr. Parker will be working closely with Dr. Simpson in the coming months ahead.
For more information, please visit the Webster Groves School District website at webster.k12.mo.us.
December 9, 2024
The Board of Education met Tuesday evening with representatives from the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) to review the superintendent candidate pool.
We are pleased to report that nearly 30 highly qualified candidates applied for the role, representing a deep and experienced pool of talent. The reputation, performance, and quality of our schools and community played a significant role in attracting such strong interest, including attention from candidates outside the state.
The Board began semifinalist interviews on December 9, and final interviews are planned for December 17. Stakeholder feedback from surveys and focus groups has been instrumental in identifying the desired qualifications for our next superintendent and shaping the interview process.
We are committed to keeping the community informed throughout the search process and greatly value your continued support in this important work.
October 15, 2024
On October 10, representatives from the Missouri School Board Association, the firm assisting the Board of Education in the search for the next Webster Groves School District superintendent, provided an update on the search process. This included a summary of findings from the community-wide stakeholder survey and focus group discussions, which aimed to identify perceived strengths, challenges, and desired qualifications for our district's next leader.
Stakeholder Survey Highlights
The stakeholder survey provided insights into both the perceived strengths and challenges of the Webster Groves School District, as well as the qualities that are most valued by the various stakeholder groups in a superintendent.
Strengths identified include:
- A strong sense of community within Webster Groves
- Dedicated and high-quality teachers and staff
- A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- A wide array of academic and extracurricular opportunities
Challenges included:
- Retaining quality teachers and staff
- Navigating political and external influences
- Resource allocation concerns
- Student academic performance and rigor
The survey also highlighted essential qualifications for the next superintendent:
- Ability to recruit, hire, and develop effective staff (63.1%)
- A commitment to promoting a caring and supportive community for students (51.6%)
- Proficiency in effectively managing district resources (51.4%)
- Advocacy for the needs of the school district in public forums (49.3%)
- Ability to foster a positive community for teachers and staff (45.6%)
Focus Group Discussions
The search firm conducted focus groups with three key groups: community members, administrators, and faculty and staff. Each group provided specific insights on district strengths, challenges, and top skills for the new superintendent.
Community Focus Group: Participants emphasized the district's strong sense of community and tradition. They identified communication and academic expectations as challenges and noted a need for measurable goals related to academic achievement and teacher retention. They highlighted equity and diversity as an area with room for growth, emphasizing that these should be a central focus for the new superintendent.
Administrators/Central Office Staff Focus Group: Administrators echoed many of the community group’s observations, citing teacher and administrator pay and community support as strengths. They pointed to facilities planning and the recruitment and retention of staff as areas requiring attention. They emphasized a desire for a superintendent who understands equity, takes an innovative approach to curriculum and instruction, and communicates effectively with the entire community.
Faculty and Staff Focus Group: Staff members highlighted high school activities as a strength but expressed concerns about aging facilities. They prioritized qualities such as the ability to advocate for the district's needs, manage resources effectively, and foster a community of care and courageous leadership. They also emphasized the importance of transparency and clear communication of district priorities.
As the search process continues, these insights will inform the selection of a superintendent who can uphold the values of our district while addressing our unique challenges.
Read the full stakeholder survey report here.
September 23, 2024
The Webster Groves School District has recently hired the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA) to support the search for a new district superintendent. The search will begin immediately and conclude with the hire of a new successful leader. Your feedback regarding what "desired qualifications are most important for this position will ensure the new hire is a good fit for both the school district and community.
Please share narrative insights and rank personal and professional priorities for the new superintendent. The search team will produce a general report based on the information gathered in this survey. The report will be shared with the board to advise them on what priorities the district and community stakeholders are looking for in a new leader.
This survey is anonymous unless you provide your name voluntarily. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey and provide direction for this important leadership position before Sunday, Oct. 6.
Superintendent Hiring Timeline:
Application period: October 6-December 1
Candidates screened: December 9
Formal Interviews: December 17
September 13, 2024
Webster Groves School District Partners with MSBA for Superintendent Search
The Webster Groves School District Board of Education has selected the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) to lead the search for its next superintendent. This decision came after a competitive bidding process, where various vendors submitted sealed bids in response to the district’s Request for Proposals (RFP).
The Board of Education evaluated bids based on factors such as experience, diversity efforts, community engagement, and overall value. After interviewing three firms, the board chose MSBA for its expertise and tailored approach to recruiting a new leader for the district.
MSBA will assist the District in gathering input from the board and community to develop candidate qualifications. The search will be comprehensive, with MSBA overseeing recruitment, candidate evaluation, and interview preparation.
The partnership also includes post-selection support to ensure a smooth transition for the new superintendent. Updates on the search process will be provided to the community throughout.
August 9, 2024
The Webster Groves School District Board of Education has officially approved the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Executive Search and Recruitment Services. This pivotal step marks the beginning of the process to identify and select the next superintendent of the Webster Groves School District, following the 2024-25 school year.
The RFP invites executive search firms and consultants to conduct a comprehensive, nationwide search for candidates who are highly qualified to lead the district. The proposals from interested firms were due by 4 p.m. on August 29.
The selected search firm will be tasked with collaborating with the Board, district staff, and community members to determine the preferred qualifications and leadership qualities that align with the district’s strategic plan. The firm will then facilitate an application process designed to attract a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates from across the nation.
Key dates in the search process include:
- August 9, 2024: Posting of the RFP
- August 24, 2024: Deadline for questions from potential search firms
- August 29, 2024: Deadline for RFP submissions
- September 9-11, 2024: Board interviews with selected vendors
- September 12, 2024: Selection of the search firm by the Board
- September 19, 2024: Initial meeting between the Board and the selected firm to finalize the search process
- September/October 2024: Commencement of the superintendent search process
- December/January 2025: Interviews and Board decision on the next superintendent
The Webster Groves School District, which has served the community for over 150 years, is looking for a superintendent who can build on its legacy of educational excellence. The district serves approximately 4,300 students and is supported by a dedicated staff of nearly 730 employees across nine schools.
Community involvement will be a critical component of the search process, ensuring that the final selection reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of the district’s students, families, and staff. Regular updates on the progress of the search will be made available through the district’s website and other communication channels.