Springfield Public Schools is on the hunt for a new human resources director – its second in as many years.
Lisa Turner was
hired in May to lead the HR department for the 4,000-employee district, succeeding Parker McKenna,
who took a job as director of human resources for Omaha, Neb.-based Union Pacific.
SPS spokeswoman Teresa Bledsoe said Turner’s resignation is effective June 30, when she’ll return to Florida. Prior to joining SPS, Turner worked four years as chief HR officer for the clerk and comptroller’s office of Palm Beach County, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.
SPS did not notify the media about the resignation, instead announcing the change and job posting April 12 in an email to district employees.
“I have truly enjoyed my time working at SPS, but my husband and I have realized that south Florida is where we want to live, so we will be relocating to West Palm Beach in July,” Turner said in the email.
Prior to her original Florida move, Turner worked at Springfield’s City Utilities for three decades, most recently as associate general manager of human resources and communications.
“We wish Lisa well and thank her for her contributions as a member of cabinet,” Superintendent John Jungmann said in the email. “During her tenure, she implemented some key improvements that increased our ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees and improved our efficiencies.”
The district already has begun the search process and is soliciting applications. However, Bledsoe said it does not plan to hire a search firm.
According to the
district’s job posting, the chief HR position “provides strategic oversight to the delivery of human resource programs and services; ensures attainment of the goals of the district's strategic plan as they relate to talent; monitors and guides the implementation of the district's talent management strategy; achieves defined objectives by planning, evaluating, developing, implementing and maintaining services in compliance with established policies, laws and regulations; and serves as a member of the superintendent's cabinet.”
The position pays a minimum of $130,000 annually, according to the post. Bledsoe said Turner earned a salary of $138,000 during her year with the district.
In related news, SPS also announced another personnel shift in the employee email.
Brady Quirk was promoted to director of special services. An SPS employee since 2005, he currently serves as director of organizational development in the HR department.
“While Quirk would normally assume his new role effective July 1, he will continue to work in HR until January 2018 to assist with a transition in HR department leadership,” the email reads.
SPS is Missouri’s largest public school district with roughly 25,000 students across 36 elementary schools, an intermediate school, nine middle schools, five high schools and multiple alternative education and choice programs.
