Incoming SPS superintendent makes first hire

Photo provided by Springfield Public Schools

John Mulford starts in July as deputy superintendent at SPS.

Springfield Public Schools named John Mulford as its new deputy superintendent.

Mulford's hiring is the first for incoming Superintendent Grenita Lathan, said SPS spokesperson Teresa Bledsoe.

Mulford, who starts July 1, succeeds the retiring Carol Embree, according to a news release. The 30-year public school veteran hired under Superintendent John Jungmann is scheduled to conclude her tenure at SPS on June 30.

Lathan said in the release that Mulford brings "a proven track record of effective leadership," most recently as superintendent of Meramec Valley R-III School District for the past three years. Before that, he was superintendent of the West Plains R-VII School District for five years.

“He is a highly respected professional, accessible to those he leads, and is known for building on the strengths of the district and community he serves," Lathan said in the release. "I am confident that he will be a tremendous asset to our leadership team.”

As deputy superintendent, Mulford will be responsible for oversight of all operations, including financial and business services, facilities and construction, and human resources. His salary will be $200,000, Bledsoe said.

"The hiring process for the deputy superintendent was typical for a vacant position," she said via email, noting an executive search firm was not utilized for the process. "SPS posted the position and screened and interviewed qualified applicants."

Mulford has the same start date at SPS as Lathan, who recently was hired as the district's superintendent to succeed Jungmann. Lathan comes to Springfield from her position as interim superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, the largest school district in Texas.

Read more about Lathan’s hiring in the March 22 print edition of Springfield Business Journal.