SMSD Board chair cites ‘stature, integrity, and reputation’ in selection of Hinson

Here’s the Shawnee Mission School District’s press release on Dr. Jim Hinson’s appointment as the next superintendent:

(SHAWNEE MISSION) The Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education is pleased to announce a new superintendent for the school district. Board members voted to offer the position to Jim Hinson, Ed. D. Dr. Hinson is presently the superintendent of the Independence Public School District in Independence, Mo.

Dr. Hinson has served as an educator for nearly 30 years, 17 years of which have been spent as superintendent. He has led the Independence School District for the past 11 years. During his tenure, Dr. Hinson has been recognized for implementing educational initiatives and organizational changes to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population and moving the district to accreditation with distinction in performance. He has also been heralded for leading the district to fiscal stability, passage of bond authorizations totaling $112 million, and successfully navigating the annexation and transition of seven schools from Kansas City, Mo. to the Independence School District. Dr. Hinson’s dedication to engaging the community and creating creative partnerships with business and civic organizations, like 12 Blocks West and Project Shine, have also been lauded. He has also focused on employee issues establishing a wellness center and health care clinic to address employee health concerns.

Prior to leading the Independence School District, Dr. Hinson served as superintendent in Granby, Mo. and Greenfield, Mo. and as principal and classroom teacher in Carthage, Mo. He serves as an adjunct professor for the University of St. Louis, chair of the Hook Center for Leadership at the University of Missouri, and as a member of numerous boards for area civic organizations including board vice-president for the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Affiliated Trusts.

Dr. Hinson has a doctorate in educational administration from St. Louis University, a master’s degree in elementary administration from Southwest Missouri State University, and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Missouri Southern State College. Dr. Hinson has been honored with numerous awards including the Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from the University Council for Educational Administration, Inc., Greater Kansas City Superintendent of the Year (2007) from the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA), George Matteson Leadership Award from the Independence Economic Development Council, and recognition as an Icon of Education in Ingram’s Magazine.

“My colleagues on the board of education and I are pleased to welcome Dr. Hinson to Shawnee Mission. We are very fortunate to have a lifelong educator with the stature, integrity, and reputation of Dr. Hinson to lead the Shawnee Mission School District to the next level of student success,’ said Board President Patty Mach. “He is an innovative educational leader with a strong commitment to students, staff, and community outreach.”

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District. The district has a rich heritage of excellence, and I am looking forward to serving the students, the board, the teachers and staff members, and the community of this great district,” Dr. Hinson stated. “The board of education and leadership team have established a longstanding commitment to providing outstanding educational programs and services to the children in this community, and I look forward to becoming a member of the Shawnee Mission family.”

The search for a new superintendent began in November with the assistance of Ray and Associates. The board conducted a public survey, which resulted in more than 800 responses, and held community meetings to gain input into the superintendent selection process. More than 200 individuals representing 38 states expressed interest in the position, and approximately 50 candidates completed the application submission process. “We were pleased with the high caliber candidates that Gary Ray and his team brought to us for consideration,” said Mach. “As a board, we were dedicated to reviewing candidate profiles to select educators whose qualifications, strengths, and skills met the needs and expectations of our school district and our community. We appreciated the thoughtful input of our stakeholders, which combined with the characteristics we were seeking as a board created a shared vision to guide our process. It is an honor to serve alongside the members of this board whose dedication was demonstrated in the hundreds of hours of volunteer service they put forth reading community feedback, reviewing candidate profiles, interviewing candidates and ultimately finalists for the position.”

Dr. Hinson and his wife June have three grown children, two of whom live with their families in the metro area. The board of education plans to hold a special meeting on Wednesday, March 13 to formally approve a contract with Dr. Hinson. He will take over from Gene Johnson, who is retiring, on July 1, 2013.