Hazelwood District Names Grayling Tobias New Superintendent

Just a little more than two months into his position as interim Hazelwood School District (HSD) superintendent, the district has named Grayling Tobias as superintendent.

HSD announced the board of education's decision on Tuesday. The board also approved Ingrid Clark-Jackson as associate superintendent, effective immediately.

The district fired former superintendent Steve Price on on August 31, after the board determined new leadership was needed.

During his time as interim, Tobias said he intended to focus on student achievement.

“Our No. 1 priority continues to be student achievement,” he said during a 30-day briefing. “In the last 30 days, we have initiated several action steps that will lead to improved student achievement. We have spent the past several weeks sharing this plan with staff members across our District.

“My job is to build on strengths for the people who work closest to our children, meaning our teachers and principals and support staff.”

Tobias has more than 25 years of experience in education and previously served as an assistant superintendent for learning for the Hazelwood School District.

He has worked for HSD since 2002, previously serving as director of secondary education and assistant superintendent for accountability. Tobias also served as a middle school principal in the Riverview Gardens School District and middle school assistant principal, high school assistant principal and teacher in the Parkway School District.

Clark-Jackson has nearly 32 years of educational experience, most recently serving as the assistant superintendent for human resources for HSD. She served as the principal of Hazelwood West High School for two years. She was an administrator in the Ritenour School District for 13 years and taught English Language Arts for 10 years.

To read more about the Hazelwood School District and its superintendent turmoil read:

• Hazelwood School District Interim Superintendent Writes Stakeholders
• Hazelwood School District Announces Two Other Interim Administrators
• Poll: Weigh in on the Hazelwood School District Leadership Changes
• UPDATE: Hazelwood School District Appoints New Interim Superintendent