The renovation of the Muny’s upper plaza...
Read More
Ferguson-Florissant District Names Joseph Davis New Superintendent
By Bob Lindsey
The Ferguson-Florissant School District Board of Education last week introduced Dr. Joseph Davis as the new superintendent, effective July 1.
The board unanimously approved Davis’ appointment on Jan. 30 and directed the negotiation of his contract. The contract, signed on Feb. 6 and ratified by the Board on Feb. 10, will run July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018. Davis will receive an initial annual salary of $200,000.
Davis’ appointment concludes a thorough and deliberative search conducted by the Ferguson-Florissant Board of Education with assistance from national executive search firm PROACT Search.
“My goal for the Ferguson-Florissant School District is to do everything I can to assure that our children are successful – both in school and in life,” Davis said regarding his appointment. “This is an outstanding district and I am proud to be a part of helping shape the future of Ferguson-Florissant students. I also look forward to working with the families of our students and the community at large to continue to improve our district so that we can do even more to benefit kids.”
Dr. Davis, speaking at a press conference last week at the administration building, said that success as the leader is about “building relationships with the staff, parents and public.” Having been a principal, he is a strong advocate of supporting them. “Great principals were great teachers,” he said. Davis and his wife and their 9-year-old son plan to live in the district.
Board President Robert Chabot said Davis has the attributes the board was seeking in a new superintendent and the entire board felt he was the most qualified of the two finalists. The other was Dr. Bryan Davis, a superintendent of schools for the Columbus (Wis.) School District.
“First and foremost, Joseph Davis cares about kids. Combine that with his experience and leadership skills, and we are confident we have chosen the right person to lead our district,” Chabot said. “The board is very eager to work side-by-side with him as we strive to continue our pursuit of educational excellence for the students, families and community of Ferguson-Florissant.”
The district has operated with an interim superintendent Lawrence Larrew for more than a year since the suspension of superintendent Art McCoy and his eventual resignation last March.
