YUHSD to screen superintendent applications (in closed session)
The Yuma Union High School District governing board meets today to screen applicants for a new superintendent.
The meeting will open at 3 p.m. in the Yuma High School Library, 400 S. 6th Ave., with a call to the public, during which community members may speak on a specific item on the agenda. Presentations are limited to a maximum of three (3) minutes and a maximum of (15) minutes on each subject.
After any speakers, the board may approve the monthly personnel report, then hear from its Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) representative Nic Clement on the screening process and protocols. The board will then move into executive session to screen the applicants.
Once back in open session, the board may discuss selecting candidates to be interviewed. The board may also discuss and consider the process and schedule for interviewing candidates.
Board members have the results from a survey conducted by the ASBA to gauge public opinion on the characteristics, qualifications and leadership style of the next YUHSD superintendent.
About 90 percent of survey respondents were district employees; 344 people took the survey.
The survey took into account several categories of respondent: whether they had children in the district now or in the past; whether they were a current or former student; whether they were former district employees; board members; or other type of relationship with the district. Some respondents had more than one relationship with the district.
For leadership traits, 58 percent ranked “experience motivating staff and students, improving morale and generating enthusiasm” as the most important, while “having experience evaluating and reorganizing staff, revising procedures, and implementing policy changes to improve efficiency” came in second (31.7 percent). In a close third was the phrase “leads but is willing to pitch-in to help at any level in the organization” (30.2 percent).
In the area of academic programs, respondents were asked to rank seven statements.
The ability to “plan and implement continuous improvement and organizational improvement in all academic areas” received 38.4 percent; while the statement “has experience leading a school or district where student achievement has been increasing” received 31.3 percent.
In the area of relations, a leader who “communicates transparently and with candor with all stakeholders” received 61.5 percent and a “childcentered advocate for learning who demonstrates beliefs that all children can learn and inspires others with this belief” (45.4 percent).
For staff development, respondents seek a leader who has “successfully recruited, selected and retained highly qualified staff,” (57.1 percent) and experience in developing and coordinating professional staff development programs as second-most important (33.1 percent).
The survey also asked opinions on budgeting and planning, operations and the strengths and weaknesses of the district.
For community members who need any type of accommodation in order to attend the meeting, contact the Superintendent’s Office at (928) 502-4600 prior to the time scheduled for the meeting.