Applicant FAQ | Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA)

Question	How do I apply for positions through the NRCSA Superintendent Search Service?
Answer	All application information is available on the NRCSA website under the Supt Search link. The first step is to check out the Current Vacancies page, which lists all NRCSA Superintendent searches as well as other openings. From there you can click a vacancy to review a detailed Vacancy Announcement. The next step is to visit the Application page and review the Application Instructions and related forms. Complete your application, prepare your accompanying materials, and send them via e-mail to: superintendentsearch@nrcsa.net with attention to Jack Moles, NRCSA Executive Director.
Question	What constitutes a completed application?
Answer	A completed application includes: (1) An application letter addressed to the Board of Education. Please include reasons for your interest in the position and a summary of significant accomplishments in your background. (2) A current resume. (3) A completed NRCSA Application Form (4) Completed and signed copies of the Notification/Disclosures/Authorizations Form sent to the NRCSA office at the e-mail address above. (5) A copy of your Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate endorsed for the Superintendency, OR evidence of eligibility for such a certificate and endorsement, or provisional endorsement. If you are fully certificated and endorsed as a superintendent in Nebraska A copy of your certificate is all that is required. If you hold a certificate with a provisional superintendent endorsement in Nebraska A written document from an adviser for your program is optional in stating details such as courses remaining and an expected completion date, but will be helpful to the Board of Education in understanding your commitment to completion, in addition to a copy of your certificate. If you are from out of state or do not hold a Nebraska certificate with superintendent endorsement or provisional endorsement Written documentation from the Nebraska Department of Education stating the status of your certification in Nebraska is required, in addition to a copy of your certificate. If you are already in a program toward completing this transition, a letter from an adviser will substitute for the NDE letter. No contract will be issued by the Board of Education until proof of appropriate certification is provided. (6) Transcripts of all graduate study leading to the degree that makes you eligible for the Nebraska Superintendency. (7) A minimum of three recent letters of recommendation from persons other than those listed on the NRCSA application form. (8) Such other supporting documents as you may wish to submit. Please keep such submissions to a minimum. NRCSA will make one copy for the board of education.
Question	Where do I send my application materials?
Answer	All application materials are to be submitted directly to NRCSA, not to the school district, and all materials are to be submitted electronically. The e-mail address for submitting materials is: superintendentsearch@nrcsa.net All questions about the application process should be directed to Jack Moles at NRCSA or to NRCSA Consultants at the e-mail addresses and phone numbers listed below. Applicants are asked not to make contact with the Board of Education or Administration of the searching district while the search is being conducted. Contact information: Jack Moles, Executive Director, Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association 440 S. 13th St., Suite B Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 335-7732 superintendentsearch@nrcsa.net (Please contact Jack at this address for items related to the search service. You can use jmoles@nrcsa.net for other NRCSA business). Dan Bird (308) 730-1876 danbird1960@gmail.com Dr. Michael Cunning (308) 660-3964 mcunning@charter.net Robert Hanger (402) 340-3855 rhanger80@gmail.com James Havelka (402) 620-1705 jhavelka@gpcom.net Fred Helmink (402) 587-0440 fhelmink@gmail.com Cynthia Huff (308) 340-5079 carmanhuff@gmail.com Mark Norvell (402) 759-1100 mnorvell34@gmail.com Robin Stevens (402) 615-4095 robinrstevens@gmail.com Caroline Winchester (308) 750-7753 winmil2020@gmail.com
Question	Can my application form and other materials be used for more than one NRCSA Superintendent Search?
Answer	Yes. The NRCSA Application Form is designed to be generic so you may authorize NRCSA’s consultants to use it on multiple searches. The Notification, Disclosures, Authorizations Documents are valid for one search season, but must updated each subsequent season. NRCSA will retain your resume, proof of certification, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other supporting documents and will re-use these if you wish. You will need to submit a separate application letter for each search.
Question	How important is submitting proof of Nebraska certification and endorsement for the Superintendency?
Answer	Nebraska’s regulations on certification and endorsement for the Superintendency are strict. No contract will be issued by the hiring Board of Education until proof of appropriate certification is provided. NRCSA asks applicants to provide a copy of their Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate endorsed for the Superintendency or to provide evidence of eligibility for such a certificate and endorsement or provisional endorsement. Written acknowledgement of eligibility from the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is preferred. You can access the Certification Division of NDE at http://www.education.ne.gov/tcert/index.html or contact the Division Director, Kevin Peters, at (402) 471-0739 with questions.
Question	Will my application materials be kept confidential?
Answer	NRCSA will treat inquiries about he application process for specific positions confidential. However, once a completed application form is submitted to NRCSA, requests for confidentiality cannot be honored. Recent interpretations of Nebraska’s Open Meetings Law specify that the review of applications by the Board of Education for selecting finalists must be conducted in open session. Finalist interviews are also conducted in open session. In addition, many Boards of Education use staff committees or community committees to assist in the search process. Members of these committees will also have access to your application materials.
Question	Will NRCSA conduct a background investigation on applicants?
Answer	All applicants for positions in a NRCSA search will be subject to an initial Internet search and reference check. Those being recommended for positions as finalists will be subject to more detailed reference checks. Once finalists are chosen, NRCSA will employ OneSource, a background check vendor, to conduct a thorough background check on the finalists which may include educational and employment history, criminal and DMV background check, sexual predator check, and such other background checks as the Board may select. Applicants are required to complete the OneSource Background Check Release and Disclosures Form to authorize the background checks.
Question	What happens to my application materials once the search is completed?
Answer	NRCSA will retain both electronic and hard copies of all of the application materials and the searching district will be provided with a file of each applicant’s materials. NRCSA will retain copies of the Notifications, Disclosures, and Authorization Pages and OneSource Background Check Release and Disclosures Form.
Question	Who can I contact with further questions?
Answer	Applicants are encouraged to contact Jack Moles, NRCSA Executive Director, or NRCSA Search Consultants. Their contact information is listed above.