http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/springfield-public-schools-hires-jungmann-superintendent_79094.mp3
By a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Springfield Board of Education has hired Dr. John Jungmann to lead the district.
Jungmann was the top finalist to succeed Dr. Norm Ridder, who is retiring this spring after nine years as superintendent. Jungmann, who now heads the Liberty School District near Kansas City, will begin his duties in Springfield on July 1.
The Board of Education is now in the process of negotiating the terms of Jungmann’s employment, including salary.
In a release Wednesday, School Board President Kris Callen said, “Following Dr. Jungmann’s community visit Monday, we listened to the feedback we received and agreed that he is the right candidate at the right time to move Springfield Public Schools to the next level of excellence.”
Callen said the board hopes to have an employment contract finalized by the end of the week. Dr. Jungmann’s total compensation package is expected to be valued at about $250,000, an amount commensurate with the level of responsibility and accountability in a school district the size of SPS, Callen explained.
“As the largest fully accredited school district in the state and the fifth largest employer in Springfield, this job brings with it a unique set of responsibilities and challenges,” Callen said. “We are confident that Dr. Jungmann will not only meet those expectations but exceed them.”
The board’s decision Tuesday came a day after Jungmann conducted meetings with Springfield citizens, where he answered questions on various education issues and spoke of plans for his new district. After which, longtime school board member Bruce Renner told KSMU that Jungmann's energy is contagious.
“After retiring and being in education for 46 years I’m almost ready to come out of retirement – almost is a key word there – but he’s [Jungmann] is very exciting to be around,” Renner says.
In November, the Board of Education retained the services of McPherson and Jacobson to assist in the superintendent search. It met with the board and stakeholders, plus conducted a survey to determine the superintendent qualities and characteristics most desired.
From a pool of 13 applicants, the board identified quarterfinalists to participate in online interviews in mid-February before narrowing the pool and interviewing semifinalists a week later.
A native of Lamar, Jungmann spent four years as superintendent in Monett before taking the deputy superintendent’s post at Liberty in 2012. He was promoted to superintendent the following year. He and his wife, Kerry, have three daughters, Halle, 12; Macie, 9; and Jolie, 2.