School District of Indian River County

6500 57th Street, Vero Beach, Fla 32967

Dear Board Members:

Please accept this letter as my application for the position of Superintendent of the School District of Indian
River County. Enclosed with this letter of application is my completed Hazard Young Attea Associates
application, supporting documentation and credentials.

My educational credentials include a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership; an Educational

Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision; a Masters Degree in Special Education; a Masters
Degree in Counseling, College Personnel and Guidance; and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice
Administration. In addition, I hold a North Carolina and Pennsylvania State Professional Educators
Certification for K-12 Special Education Teacher; K-12 Guidance; Administration, Special Education; and,
Superintendent.

During my career I have served in variety of instructional, administration and leadership positions. My
experience includes:

 Intensive Juvenile Probation Officer. 


 Elementary and Middle School Special Education Classroom Teacher. 

 High School Assistant and Head Wrestling Coach. 

 Drug and Alcohol Counselor Therapist.

 University Head Wrestling Coach. 

 University Academic Liaison for Athletics. 

 Director of Special Education. 

 Superintendent of Schools at Tyrrell County (6 years). 

 Wayne County (4+ years).

In April 2009 I was fortunate to be named Tyrrell County, North Carolina

Superintendent of Schools, then in April 2015 I was named the Superintendent of Wayne
County Public Schools. I am in my eleventh year as a Superintendent in North Carolina. The
superintendent of any school system must understand the level of collaboration needed
between the School Board, community and school personnel to provide a quality
and world-class education for all students. In addition, the superintendent must provide a
positive leadership style that encourages everyone to work together; this includes
the School Board, administrators, teachers, students, families, and the community.
Equally important is to ensure that the operation of the school system remains transparent
to all stakeholders. 


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 Today’s effective school leader must focus on the following priorities: 

 Work with the School Board to develop trust and mutual respect. 

 Ensure the best possible education for all students. 

 Provide a rigorous curriculum to prepare students to be career and/or college ready. 

 Develop a budget within allocated funds that ensure fiscal responsibility. 

 Continuously evaluate the programs, practices and personnel of the school system. 

 Develop community partnerships to enhance student learning. 

 Formulate data-informed decisions that support the Board’s vision and mission.. 

 Move forward the goals of the school system’s strategic plan as identified by the
School 
Board. 

 Recruit and develop a system to enhance and retain the best possible instructional
staff..
 Ensure professional growth of all staff by providing the support and training necessary
for success. 

 Provide open dialog and communication with staff, keeping them informed and up to
date. 

 Actively work with Legislators and local elected officials to enhance the relationship,

 professionalism and image of the school system. 

 Maintain communication and relationships with colleges and universities to ensure
students have needed exposure and alignment to matriculate to post secondary
educational 
opportunities. 

 Always do what is best for the children. 


As your Superintendent I will identify system priorities through cooperative effort with all stakeholders.
Together we will identify common goals and embrace a shared vision, and establish and implement the best
instructional practices and strategies to achieve our goals. Thoughtful planning in a vigorous and
measurable school improvement process will result in: positive outcomes for all students; quality
leadership; effective instructional practices, and, an enthusiastic workforce. 
I understand the changing
landscape in public education. Here in Wayne County I am leading a Strategic Plan that we embarked on
four years ago. Our focus is all students are treated equally and have the same resources whether in
facilities, discipline equity and instruction needs to focus on closing the achievement gaps. Just this year
our work on “Re-Start Schools” (Turn around) programs resulted in halting a state takeover of one of our
schools. Highlighted by North Carolina’s State Superintendent, Mark Johnson’s comment at a State Board
of Education meeting; “Dr. Dunsmore is a leader in this state on school restart programming”. This was
accomplished though an open and transparent process that brought ALL stakeholders together. We are in
the third year of a comprehensive building program that started with a partnership between the schools and
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. This brought together federal, state and local leadership that focused on
attention and scrutiny regarding the needs in our schools. As in every system, public education as a whole

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has a tremendous amount of work to do. Change is difficult and it must start with the basics. What is best
for our children, why do I want to do this and am I ready to make changes? These are tough questions, but I
believe we are at this time for a reason and we are responsible to lead this change. 
The world we know
today has changed dramatically. Being visionary and innovative in this complex landscape requires that we
develop programs that prepare our students with the skills and knowledge to be career and/or college ready
when they graduate. The global environment requires that we broaden the horizons of our students and
expose them to diverse cultural experiences. We need to ensure that our children are prepared for success
and continue to love learning throughout their lifetimes. Creating this type of environment allows students,
educators, parents/guardians and the community to work together to provide educational opportunities for
all students that will lead them to becoming productive citizens. 
We have developed business partnership
that have led to funding for new Career Path vocational programs in two of our high schools. This year we
started work on a Competency-Based System that focuses on Personalized (Project Based) Learning;
starting in Elementary with Blended Learning and progressing through secondary with Project Based
Learning. This requires commitment from ALL levels, but building level leadership is paramount. We
discovered a need for staff development with our building level administrators. Complacency and routine
were keeping us from improving. These are very difficult decisions, but as noted change is needed and it is
needed now. The way I evaluate is: Are they capable and if so, are they willing and ready to change? 

I am looking for an opportunity to work with an engage community, motivated staff and a growing student
body that is hungry to succeed. I relish my opportunities to engage students and listen to their concerns,
goals and aspirations. That is why I became an educator. I have learned that involving community
stakeholders, parents, business’s and military leaders is a huge asset when lobbying federal, state and local
policy makers and funding sources. I am proud of my ability to establish relationships and work together
for the future of our children. My wife and I, high school sweethearts, both graduated from the same system
our fathers taught and all three of our boys graduated. I believe in public education feel it is the foundation
of our country.

Thank you for considering my application. My family and I would be excited to become a part of the
School District of Indian River County and establishing ourselves as involved members of the community.
I look forward to meeting and speaking with you regarding this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Dunsmore, Ed.D

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 School District of Indian River County / Superintendent Online Application
Dunsmore, Michael - AppNo: 19514 Date Last Submitted for Job ID 1089:
10/28/2019

Personal Data
Name: Dunsmore DR Michael J
(Last) (First) (Middle Initial)
Other name(s) under which transcripts, certificates, and former applications may be listed:
Other: Dunsmore Michael
(Last) (First) (Middle Initial)

Postal Address
Work Address
Number & Street: 2001 Royall Ave
City: Goldsboro
State: NC
Zip Code: 27533
Phone Number: 919 7056163
Fax Number: 919 736-5046

Current Personal Data

Current Employer: Wayne County Public Schools, Goldsboro, NC
Current Position: Superintendent
Years in Position: 4+
Enrollment: 18,800
Number of Staff: 3,300
Annual Budget: 195 Million
Current Gross Income: 192500.00
Type of District/Organization: K - 12
Most Recent Degree From: Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Degree Earned: Education Doctorate

California & Oregon Disclaimer

Applicants for positions in California and Oregon do not need to provide salary information for any past positions. If you do provide
salary history information, you are doing so voluntarily.
CA: in accordance with 432.3 of the CA Labor Code.
* Continue? Yes

Sunshine Notification
FLORIDA: Florida Sunshine Statutes ensure open records for all Florida School Boards. A submission becomes public at the time of
submission. OHIO: If requested under the Ohio Public Records Law, the Board of Education and/or its agent, Hazard, Young, Attea &
Associates (HYA) are legally obligated to release to any requester, including the press, any application and related material either
started or completed for this position. Applicants need to be aware that Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) receives all
application material as prepared by the applicant, even prior to an applicant's formal submission of the application. If an
applicant prefers to complete the application prior to having it available for public scrutiny under Ohio's Public Records law,
the applicant can choose not to select any specific search while completing the application, and then adding the search(es) for which
one desires to be considered upon completion of the application. If there are any questions relative to this, please feel free to contact

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 School District of Indian River County / Superintendent Online Application
Dunsmore, Michael - AppNo: 19514 Date Last Submitted for Job ID 1089:
10/28/2019

Therese Meyer in HYA's office at 847-724-8465.

* Sunshine Notification. Continue? Yes

Military
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other applicants)
Are you a qualified military veteran? Click the box if yes.
If you are applying for a position in Oregon, please answer the following: (optional for all -
other applicants)
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Administrative Experience
Employer and Position Title Location: Dates: Primary Supervisor/Board Pres.
City, State From - To
Wayne County Public Schools Goldsboro, NC July 2015 Mr. Don "Chris" West
Superintendent Present 919-921-1212
Significant accomplishments in this position:
*Completed inter-district transfer policy, which set the foundation for moving of district attendance lines to align with ’long range’
facilities plan.
*Over 5 million dollars in grants (over the past two years) for ’low performing’ schools.
*Charter member of ’The Innovation Project’(TIP)a group of school systems across the state to collaborate and focus on restart schools.
*Partnership with AP Exhaust to sponsor a vocational program in our high schools (Over 1.5 million dollar initiative) to provide
instruction, welding equipment and internships.
*Membership on national Superintendent initiatives (NCERT, NAFIS, MISA). Statewide superintendent representative for North
Carolina for MISA (Military Impacted Schools Association).
*Initiated and overseeing a $22 Million building project.
*Part of 7 different building projects, 4 complete. 2 Buildings having National
Distinction Top Ten Green and energy efficient educational buildings.
*Part of a Statewide initiative to "Raise the Age" for criminal charges stemming
from school incidents. Worked with local and statewide leadership on
legislation concerning charges stemming from school related issues. Suspensions
dropped all three years of my tenure.

Reason For Leaving:

Last Annual Salary: 192,500.00 Last Annual Gross: 205,000.00 Enrollment: 18600 District Type: K - 12

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 School District of Indian River County / Superintendent Online Application
Dunsmore, Michael - AppNo: 19514 Date Last Submitted for Job ID 1089:
10/28/2019

Admin Experience Continued

Employer and Position Title Location: Dates: Primary Supervisor/Board Pres.
City, State From - To
Tyrrell County Schools Columbia, NC July 2009 Mr. Lee Scripture, Board Chair 252-394-5092
Superintendent June 2015
Significant accomplishments in this position:
*Regional Superintendent of the Year.
*Superintendent liaison for State Legislative Small County Supplement funding.
*Founding member and Board of Director representative for Regional Agricultural
STEM Magnet school.
*Development and expansion of Early College High School through Virtual Distance
Learning.

Reason For Leaving: Accepted Wayne County Superintendency. Career advancement.

Last Annual Salary: 110,000.00 Last Annual Gross: 125,000.00 Enrollment: 700 District Type: K - 12
Palmyra Area School District Palmyra, PA July 2006 Dr.Larry Schmidt, Superintendent (Retired)
Supervisor of Special Education June 2009 Unknown
Significant accomplishments in this position:
*Member of the Administrative Facilities planning and construction team. Part of
two building projects. One project specific to Special Education (Autism
Program)
*Expanded Autistic Support program. Partnership with Hershey Medical Center.
*Presented at Statewide Special Education Conference of Student Self
Determination.
*Developed specific Policy and Procedure for Due Process Hearings.

Reason For Leaving: Accepted Superintendency with Tyrrell County Schools

Last Annual Salary: 82,000.00 Last Annual Gross: 85,000.00 Enrollment: N/A District Type:
Mt. Union Area School District Mt. Union, PA July 2004 Dr. Jerry Dunkle, Superintendent, Retired
June 2006 Unknown
Significant accomplishments in this position:
*Led accreditation team, specific to Special Education, for system wide
accreditation.
*Completed competency based requirements for Duquesne Education Program.
Included a Superintendent supervised funding initiative for Special Education
and Policy and Procedure update.

Reason For Leaving: Accepted Superintendency with Tyrrell County Schools. Career Advancement
Last Annual Salary: 72,000.00 Last Annual Gross: 80,000.00 Enrollment: 4,500 District Type: K - 12

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 School District of Indian River County / Superintendent Online Application
Dunsmore, Michael - AppNo: 19514 Date Last Submitted for Job ID 1089:
10/28/2019

Professional Experience
Employer and Position Title Location: Dates: Primary Supervisor/Board Pres.
City, State From - To
East Carolina University Greenville, NC 6/2013 Dr. Art Roush
Adjunct Professor Present 252-737-1705
Significant Accomplishments at this position:
*Part of a University initiative to provide "Real Work" experience training and
mentoring for Administrative Certifications. Taught Masters Level and Doctoral
Level course and mentored practitioners.

Reason For Leaving: Still employed

Last Annual Salary: 4,500.00 Last Annual Gross: 4,500.00
Capital Area Intermediate Unit Summerdale, PA 10/1998 Mr. Chuck Haley (Retired)
Life Skills Teacher 7/2004 Unknown
Significant Accomplishments at this position:
*Taught blended Middle School age Life Skills students and transitioned to High
School age students.
*Research and practical projects in student self determination, which was base
for Masters and Doctoral work in "Student Self Determination".

Reason For Leaving: Full time employment responsibilities and advanced degree commitment.
Last Annual Salary: 42,000.00 Last Annual Gross: 42,000.00
Shippensburg University Shippensburg, PA 8/1993 Dr. James Pribula (Retired)
Head Wrestling Coach 5/2001 Unknown
Significant Accomplishments at this position:
*Part Time Head Wrestling Coach of Division II Program. Responsible for
recruiting training and mentoring of overall ’non-scholarship’ athletic
program.
*Coached 12 Division II All Americans and 9 Academic All Americans.
*Member and six year Secretary of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Reason For Leaving: Full time employment responsibilities and advanced degree commitment.
Last Annual Salary: 20,000.00 Last Annual Gross: 20,000.00
Pennsylvania Counseling Service Lebanon, PA 7/2003 Out of Business
Behavioral Therapist 6/2004
Significant Accomplishments at this position:
*Worked specifically with Autistic students to support and educate parents in
dealing with their children and managing their disability.
*Led instructional program and supervision of support service staff.

Reason For Leaving: Full time employment responsibilities. Project completed.

Last Annual Salary: 20.00 Hour Last Annual Gross: 8,000.00

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 School District of Indian River County / Superintendent Online Application
Dunsmore, Michael - AppNo: 19514 Date Last Submitted for Job ID 1089:
10/28/2019

Prof Experience Continued

Employer and Position Title Location: Dates: Primary Supervisor/Board Pres.
City, State From - To
North Carolina Aquarium Roanoke Manteo, NC 08-2009 Patrick Murphy, (Retired)
Island. 12-2016 Unknown
Volunteer diver / educator
Significant Accomplishments at this position:
Did weekend education dive show in a 275,000 gallon aquarium with 70 different varieties of fish including 13 sand tiger sharks. Was
the in-tank educator interacting with audience and outside educator outside the the aquarium. Certified PADI Scuba Diver with 39 years
experience. Additional certifications in deep water dives, rescue diver and emergency rescue.

Reason For Leaving: Relocated for full time position.

Last Annual Salary: 0 Last Annual Gross: 0

Education
High School Attended: Big Spring High School. Newville, PA.

Colleges, Universities and Technical Schools Attended:

Name and location Major Degree Date Conferred
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA Education Ed.D 05/2008
Leadership
Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA Special Education Cert 08/2003
Administration
Shippensburg University, Shippensburg , PA Special Education MS 06/2002
Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA Counseling MS 12/1997
Mansfield State College, Mansfield, PA Criminal Justice BA 05/1983
Administration

List honors, awards or distinctions:

*Northeast North Carolina Region Superintendent of the Year 2011
*Completed North Carolina ASA Executive Leadership Program 2016 and
Advanced Executive Leadership Program 2017.
*2018 Seymour Johnson Air Force Base "Community Leader of the Year".

Please list your professional memberships - please indicate leadership roles you may have had with any of them.
*National Superintendents Association.
*NC Superintendents Association.
*Council for Exceptional Children.
*National Council for Education Research and Technology.
*National Center for Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
*Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
*Northeast North Carolina Superintendents Association, former Chair.
*North Carolina Southeast Alliance of Superintendents.
*National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS).
*National Association Military Impacted Schools(MISA, North Carolina Rep.
*Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors.
*Wayne County Development Authority, Board of Directors.
*Seymour Johnson Military Affairs Committee Member.
*Committee member, North Carolina High School Athletic Association,
Academic Appeals.

Please list your community and civic memberships and participation.

*State Employees Credit Union Board Member, Tyrrell County & Wayne County.

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 School District of Indian River County / Superintendent Online Application
Dunsmore, Michael - AppNo: 19514 Date Last Submitted for Job ID 1089:
10/28/2019

Please list your community and civic memberships and participation. (continued)

*Board member and former Chair, Inner Banks Hotline Domestic Violence
Program.
*Board member, Northeast School of Biotechnology and Agriculture Science.
*Board member Wayne County Development Authority.
*Board member Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.
*Member Columbia Methodist Church.

Please list any publications you may have, including your doctoral and/or master’s dissertations, if appropriate.
*Doctoral Dissertation: The Effect of Self-Determination Instruction on Students with Learning Disabilities in the IEP Transition
Process. Published May 2008, UMI, ProQuest.
*Contributing author to: The Special Education Program: Administrator’s Handbook (2007), Bateman, D., et. al. Chapter 9, Dealing
Effectively with Transition Services in the Individual Education Program. Pearson, 1st Edition (February 27, 2006)

Please list major presentations made to national, state or regional audiences.

*Appeared on WRAL Raleigh News Program "Education Matters" to discuss
Restart Schools. 2017 & ISD take over 2018.
*Presented to the North Carolina State Board of Education three times. Low
Wealth Funding, 2013. Restart Schools, 2016. Military Impacted Schools,
funding, 2017.
*Worked with House Majority team on Educational Funding, 2017.
*Have presented to the North Carolina State Board Association on numerous
occasions, both Regionally and statewide.
*2017 presented at National Administrators Conference on School takeover.
*2019 Presented at National Administrators Conference Orlando Fla.
*2019 Presented to State Board of Education and State Administrators Conference.

Please list significant workshops or conferences which you would like to highlight.
*Attend the National School Superintendents Conference last 4 years.
*Attend the National School Boards Conference last 4 years.
*Member of the College Board Chinese Bridge Delegation to Beijing and
Jiangsu Provence China 2015.
*Member 2018 AASA Education Administrators exchange to Morocco.

Certifications
Do you hold the appropriate certificate for this position? Yes
Type State Certificate Number Expiration Date Active?
Superintendent NC 06/302019 Yes
Superintendent PA 07633843 11/2106 Yes

Please list all of the endorsements and/or verifications documented on your teaching/administrative certificate(s):

Open Ended Questions

For School District of Indian River County / Superintendent:

1. Please share why you are interested in this position and your unique qualifications for it.
I am in my 11th year as a superintendent in two very different school districts in North Carolina. My former system, Tyrrell County was
quite small and rural, and my present system, Wayne County (my current district) is fairly large (18,600 students) with a combination

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Question Continued
of urban and rural populations. Previous to taking on the challenge of being a superintendent, I worked in Pennsylvania as an
Exceptional Childrenˆ¢‹¢s district administrator and teacher, and before that I had a successful career in juvenile justice and as a high
school and division II University wrestling coach.

My somewhat non-traditional administrative journey has shaped me into a unique, hands-on superintendent. My keen interest in the
background, circumstances and life situations of the students and adults who make up our school district allows me to apply a deeper
level of analysis in my decision-making. I am approachable, visible, and involved, despite the fact that I am responsible for the
successful operation of an 18,000+ students school district with 32 schools and more than 2000 employees.

My greatest strength as a district leader is in identifying, recruiting, retaining, and growing talented dedicated leaders who collaborate
well with me and with each other. I have assembled a Leadership team in Wayne County that is second to none. In my previous
positions I was also able to attract and retain top talent. In any district where I go in the future, I will certainly rely on this skill to ensure
the very best leaders are in place to work at moving the district forward.

Another unique qualification that I bring is a wide view. I have worked and collaborated with educators and related professionals
throughout the United States and in several parts of the world. I have also been invited to participate in military and government
initiatives, and I serve on several National Boards. These involvements of mine, outside of our school district, allow me to bring the
world to our small piece of Eastern North Carolina. Where previously our county and school system was mostly overlooked, we now
have partnerships with large corporations, and international educators and schools. We also send our people out as visiting educators to
other areas of the United States and the world, so that we can learn and grow, and bring back and apply innovations and best practices
here in Wayne County. I appreciate that Indian River is similar in size and in socio-economic demographics to Wayne County.

I am interested in the superintendent position and leading the School District of Indian River County because of its potential to become
a "high flying" school system that wants the best for all its children. I am able to see similarities and differences to my current county.
However, SDIRC offers a unique opportunity for future professional and personal goals. I want to be part of a system and community
that wants to see public education change, flourish and prepare our students for future success. A system that is in the planning process
for future growth and a desire to see success, which equates to business and county development and an attractive area to live and raise a
family.

During my time at Wayne County we have been very successful in improving several historically Low Performing schools in Wayne
County during my four plus years here. In a very positive way, we have put our school system on the map. A large part of this was
partnering with 12 other North Carolina School Systems to collaborate on innovation and best practices. Our partnership has brought
together the best and brightest on our staffs to develop curriculum and lead staff development. This was also the foundation on our
work with Restart and school "turnaround". We are replacing cuts in our federal, state and local funding cuts, while going to the next
level. Our on-going focus is school choice and partnering with successful charters and on-line platforms that can be offered to home
schoolers.

I feel confident that I have developed a foundation and helped get Wayne County on the path toward excellence. I am at a point where I
am looking for system and area that I want to call home now and for the future. I am looking now for a new situation where I can put
down roots and become a permanent member of the community. My wife and I are looking to have our permanent home where we can
make an impact on the schools and community.

For School District of Indian River County / Superintendent:

2. Please list the five accomplishments in your professional career of which you take the greatest satisfaction and why you do
so.
Limiting this to five choices has been a difficult challenge. Having gotten to this point in my career I have followed a very non
traditional education path. When I was getting ready to graduate high school, careers in education were not attractive. Both my parents,
now retired career educators steered me away from teaching as my career choice. In hindsight the path I choose and experiences,
training and educational development I received have made me the leader and person I have become. The following are in no
significant order.

1 - As a successful high school and college wrestling coach I am extremely proud that I was named head wrestling coach, replacing my
father when he retired after 37 years as a successful teacher and coach. That 7 year experience enabled me to be named the head

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Question Continued
wrestling coach at Division II Shippensburg University. That position opened all of my advanced educational opportunities and forged
relationships with too many people to list that have had a hand in my development. What I take away from that is the relationships and
friendship I still maintain with former wrestlers I coached. Invites to weddings and children being named after me. Watching so many
fine young people grow, reach their athletic dreams and then move on to successful careers and families is accomplishments and
memories I will always cherish. It has developed my true love of the personal and professional accomplishments and what education and
educators truly impact. The impact my former athletes have had on me personally and professional has been immense and provides and
inner drive to give back and assure that I am mentoring future educational leaders.

2 - All my coaching career was part time. During the majority of this time I was a middle school socially emotional life skills teacher. I
still maintain contact with 2 of my former students who are in assisted group homes. They taught me what it meant to be patient,
compassionate and thankful. I get a Christmas card every year from Elizabeth. Usually in crayon or pencil or a coloring book page,
which I carry them with me in my briefcase. Upon graduation Elizabeth was reading at kindergarten - first grade level with sight words
and really unable to care for herself. What she did remember was dates, particularly birthdates. My cards come to my parents address
every year because that is the address the group home has. I have stopped by the home several times and unfortunately she didn’t
remember me, but when told me name she recited my birthdate. And, the cards keep coming.

My other student George, was a severally abused malnutrition young man who’s main wardrobe was hand me downs from my three
boys. I will always remember the day child services came to school because he was removed from his home. His mother brought a paper
bag of all of his worldly possessions. He hugged me and said that I was the reason he had made it this far. As a teacher, counselor and
administrator I have seen many sad situations. These have taught me to be an empathic understanding (listener) leader. Policy and
Procedure is essential and a primary responsibility as your Superintendent. My experiences have taught me to listen, understand when
making difficult decisions. Parents wants what is best for their children. Teachers and staff want what is best for their students and
their professional development. Both want to be heard and involved. Communication and involving all stakeholders will be an essential
platform of my leadership.

3 - My mother and father have always been huge inspirations. They day they got to give me my doctoral degree and be the first to call
me doctor continues to motivate me to be driven, humble and an empathic leader. I am a very reflective introspectional person, educator
and leader. I am involved locally, statewide and national to see best practices and collaborate with successful programs that would
benefit our students in Indian River County. I listen to state and stakeholders at ALL levels. The more perspectives we have the better
our decision making process becomes. I constantly strive and self reflect on being a humble servant leader that makes an impact
everyday. I was told by a dear mentor who was my last Superintendent. Mike when you turn the light off at the end of the day, I want
you to ask: "Did you affect a positive in someones life today?" When the answer is no longer yes, it is time to retire. He shared that the
day he told me of his retirement. He further shared that I was in line to replace hime. But, he felt that true leadership is going out on
your own and making a name for Mike Dunsmore not just continue others legacy. I continually thank him for giving me the strength to
move from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.

It has given me the confidence to believe in myself. This confidence has developed and grown over my lifetime. First from my parents,
as an athlete (wrestler), to a coach, teacher, administrator, superintendent, husband and father. I am at a point in my career,
professionally and personally that I am applying and confident that I am the best candidate to be your next Superintendent at the School
District of Indian River County.

4 - My first year at Wayne County we embarked on a five year Strategic Plan. Our primary goal was school improvement. We inherited
fourteen "Low Performing" schools of our thirty two total schools. Our goal within the five years was to move ten of those schools off
of that list, while showing yearly progress in ALL of our schools. North Carolina assesses schools by 20 percent growth and 80 percent
performance. As of this year we have moved seven schools off the list, one of which was scheduled to be taken over by the state. Four
of the remaining seven schools are within less than 2 percent change in being removed. The last three schools have shown growth and
progress each of the last 4 years. We are proving the ability to make positive change, particularly in the area of student growth. We also
led the legislative change amendments to state legislation regarding low performing schools and state takeover. I have presented at state
and national conferences on our success and failures (lessons learned) on our journey.

My first year I was a founding superintendent and county system in The Innovation Project (TIP, which was a founding group of 12
systems that joined forces to develop a change in our schools. This was the foundation of our work on restart schools. Our combined
system teams worked on principal and teacher development. Understanding data and how that translates to instruction and rigor in the

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classroom. A second project we were working on was on line curriculum to support our tested curriculums.Our goal was two fold. Help
supplement and support struggling students as well as providing advanced opportunities for gifted students.
We also found from this work that alternative placed students, home school students and charter schools were interested in partnering
and develop consortiums. These partnerships have increased our enrolled numbers and more opportunities for all our students. We have
also, enabled a large number of our military affiliated students to do hybrid schedules rather than not enrolling in our schools.

I believe in public education, but I also believe that school choice is the way of the future. We need to do what is best for students.
These partnerships are the foundations that we want to lead to more magnet and special focus program schools.

5- As mentioned at the start my responses were in no particular order. However, as I worked through this and really reflected, this is
what I am most proud of is the business partnerships we have forged that are helping to fund and provide staff and material to programs
we otherwise could not offer. The reason I am most proud of this is all of my other accomplishments, training, experience, successes and
failures enabled me to lead my team in a business development plan.

AP Exhaust is the largest after market producer of mufflers and tailpipes in the world. Their manufacturing plant is in Goldsboro, NC.
They were not getting the skilled workforce they needed. I met with the plant manager and found he had similar experiences as I in
regards to business supporting programs in school. Two years ago we started an advanced manufacturing program in our lowest
performing high school that included introduction to welding. AP Exhaust purchased all of the equipment and we hired two of their
retires as instructors. We now offer several levels of welding, career paths to community college and intern/externships with AP
Exhaust, Caterpillar Corporation and several machine fabrication companies in our county.

We are presently working with our County Development Authority and leadership to streamline our Career Technical programs in a
central county location, that we could utilize our magnet school busing routes. This would open up tremendous opportunity to ALL our
students. Our goal is to have corporate funding and support to offset 50-60 percent of the start up cost.

As business and industry needs and expectations education MUST change. The industrial revelation model is no longer relevant and
todays students are too savvy and technologically proficient. I have visited two of Google’s headquarter building and seen first hand
what could be in regards to training and educating our students for future success. Similar to the MET Program in Providence Rhode
Island and High Tech High in San Diego. Partnerships with business and industry provides real life job research and internships, while
we as educators teach students proper use of technology, research, problem solving, communication and working in a team. As student
asked me once: Dr. D why should I memorize this when I can google it?

Language Skills
Do you know any language other than English? Yes

Language(s): Spanish
Oral Level: Polite
Written Level:

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 School District of Indian River County / Superintendent Online Application
Dunsmore, Michael - AppNo: 19514 Date Last Submitted for Job ID 1089:
10/28/2019

Professional References

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 School District of Indian River County / Superintendent Online Application
Dunsmore, Michael - AppNo: 19514 Date Last Submitted for Job ID 1089:
10/28/2019

General Information
List any additional information which will support your candidacy.
I believe that public education needs to change. We no longer can do what we have always done. I have proven that we can do better
and close the achievement gap. Through positive relationships with our elected officials, business and entrepreneur communities we can
lead the change for the future. We need to listen and understand the needs of our future workforce. Working with other state and
national school systems in a consortium and best practices will further stretch dollars and coordinate staff professional development.

I am ready to lead the change in the School District of Indian River and become an involved member of the community with my
family.

Are you presently under contract? Yes

When does contract expire? June 2023
Have you ever failed to have your contract renewed, be rehired, been asked to No
resign a position, or resigned to avoid termination?
If yes, explain.
Have you ever had a credential or certificate revoked, suspended or annulled in No
any state, territory or foreign country?
If yes, explain.
Where did you hear of our vacancy?

Referrals
How did you hear about employment with us?
Ed Week Online HYA Website Other: Contacted by HYA recruiter

Legal Information
1. Are you eligible to work in the United States? Yes

2. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense or a controlled substance? No
If yes, explain, giving dates:

3. Have you ever had any indicated finding of child abuse filed in your name? No
If yes, explain, giving dates:

4. Have you ever been convicted of any crime? No

If yes, explain, giving dates:

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 School District of Indian River County / Superintendent Online Application
Dunsmore, Michael - AppNo: 19514 Date Last Submitted for Job ID 1089:
10/28/2019

Confirmation
I authorize the organization(s) to which I am applying and Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd. to contact my references or any
other references deemed necessary to ascertain the merits of my candidacy for this position. I authorize references to discuss my
application and/or release information concerning me, and agree to hold them, the District, and the consultants harmless for providing
and/or utilizing any information requested and/or provided.

I also request that my application and interest in the administrative position remain as confidential as possible under the applicable laws
of the state. I understand that my candidacy may become a matter of public record when I am presented to the Board. I further
understand that elements of my resume may be available to the public and the news media at such time. However, I request that
reasonable effort be taken to maintain the confidentiality of this application and other documents and information which accompany
my application for the position for which I am applying. (Note: In some states, such as Florida, there can be no confidential written
correspondence. Please call HYA if interested in one of these positions.)

If you answer "yes" to any of the above questions, you must submit official copies of court records including disposition of the case(s).

I hereby affirm that there are no misrepresentations, omissions or falsifications in the foregoing statements and answers, and that the
entries made by me are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I acknowledge that any misrepresentations,
omissions or falsifications might be grounds for dismissal if employed for this position.

Michael J. Dunsmore
(agreed online)

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