Cummins was formerly an assistant superintendent in the Neosho district and has been at Seneca for the past four years.
R-5 staff members were informed by e-mail fo the decision, which was finalized today. The superintendent job became vacant when the board put Dan Decker on administrative leave April 16 following numerous problems with district finances.
Finances are the speciality of Cummins, who was vice president of finance at Crowder College before taking the Seneca position.
He has also held administrative positions at Diamond, where he was a principal for a year, Wheaton, where he was superintendent for three years and Neosho and Carl Junction where he served in assistant superintendent positions.
R-5 Board of Education President Stuart Puckett introduced Cummins to the administtrative staff this afternoon, including Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Becky Sears, who will continue to serve as interim superintendent.
Puckett issued the following statement this afternoon:
"The board believed that with as many large projects that are currently ongoing and late spring being a time of heavy decision making for the following year, it was in the best interest of the school district to move rapidly in selecting a new superintendent. Dr. Cummins possesses the experience, desire, and motivation to help us continue to move forward, and we are proud to welcome him to the team."Previous Neosho R-5 Posts
Neosho Superintendent Dan Decker placed on leave, clears out his office
Under Douglas-Decker stewardship, 26-year-old P. R. director takes lead role in Neosho R-5 School District
Neosho R-5 Board President's response to allegations: I believe in the greatness of the Neosho community
Allegation that five-year-old Neosho boy inappropriately touched, threatened kindergarten classmate at center of possible legal action against school district
Neosho R-5 Board President: Central Office wasn't aware board had to approve change orders on Junior High building project
Carver Elementary principal's administrative leave, removal of Finance Department illustrate toxic atmosphere at Neosho R-5
Neosho Superintendent signed non-disparagement contract, agreed to $150,000 "donation" from architectural firm
Former Neosho R-5 accountant: Finance Department told to keep quiet about Junior High project funding errors
Neosho R-5 administrators say there are things they can't tell staff, but they will be transparent about it
Neosho Daily News on junior high investigation: We report news, not speculation or gossip
Neosho R-5 School Board President: There was no trickery with our lovely junior high
State investigators examining discrepancies, lack of transparency in Neosho Junior High building project
Under Douglas-Decker stewardship, 26-year-old P. R. director takes lead role in Neosho R-5 School District
Neosho R-5 Board President's response to allegations: I believe in the greatness of the Neosho community
Allegation that five-year-old Neosho boy inappropriately touched, threatened kindergarten classmate at center of possible legal action against school district
Neosho R-5 Board President: Central Office wasn't aware board had to approve change orders on Junior High building project
Carver Elementary principal's administrative leave, removal of Finance Department illustrate toxic atmosphere at Neosho R-5
Neosho Superintendent signed non-disparagement contract, agreed to $150,000 "donation" from architectural firm
Former Neosho R-5 accountant: Finance Department told to keep quiet about Junior High project funding errors
Neosho R-5 administrators say there are things they can't tell staff, but they will be transparent about it
Neosho Daily News on junior high investigation: We report news, not speculation or gossip
Neosho R-5 School Board President: There was no trickery with our lovely junior high
State investigators examining discrepancies, lack of transparency in Neosho Junior High building project
18 comments:
One has to wonder who we passed on by not having this job posted amd interviewing a wide range of applicants.
I do believe Dr.Cummins will do a great job in this position. Just scratching my head at how the board is building back trust.
Good ol' boy network strikes again... I'm sure Dr. Jim loves Neosho, and he's certainly tried to get that job for at last 10 years. But, in 2018 couldn't we at least have tried to see who might be available instead of going with our homer? Oh right, we have such a toxic environment no one would want to come. Best of luck Dr. Cummins, you'll need it.
"The superintendent job became vacant when the board put Dan Decker on administrative leave April 16 following numerous problems with district finances."
Administrative leave is not the same as either a resignation or termination.
Did R-5 fail to inform that Dan Decker has either resigned or been fired? Alternately, is Dan Decker still on leave and R-5 currently has two superintendents?
Also, was the previously mentioned "administrative leave" paid or unpaid?
If R5 only had an efficient PR machine.
They are just looking for someone willing to play the hush hush game . Seems our good ol boy System is still will at work even with members being exposed .
So, my guess is the cards were already stacked in his favor. I have to wonder, did they already have him signed up before they put Mr. Decker on leave?
Those of you with negative comments about this obviously do not know the character and integrity of Dr. Cummins. He is just what our district needs to fix the mess we're in. The faculty and staff are elated by this decision. You have to trust and respect your leadership to move forward, and we have that with Dr. Cummins!
If you knew Jim Cummins you would know that he will never be in any bodies good ole boy club. His integrity and work ethic is exactly what Neosho needs. His experience at every level of educational administration is hard to find. He is a cpa. If we would have hired him 4 years ago instead of Dangerous Dan we wouldn't be in the mess we're in now. It's not an easy fix but we got the guy to get there.
I can assure you, you do NOT speak for all faculty and staff. Most are not "elated" as you said. This board just handed a job to a guy with an inside track without going through a search process. Seriously? Who does that after the mess the district has gone through? What kind of precedent has been set?
Sorry but this has a bad smell to it. We all remember when his mother, who was on the School Board at the time, tried to force him into the job a few years ago.
Good old BOYs club? Really? Really? Are you people that clueless or is racism ok on this blog?
Congratulations Jim. Praying Neosho Schools excell under your leadership.
Racism???lol..what??
I bet there are some very nervous central office employees...hope they are updating their resumes!!!
I get that but Jim is not black????
Sure he is.
What the hell?
Hmmmm........Jim Cummins was a handsome, WHITE, football player and Valedictorian back in 1984
Well??
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