Position Title: Superintendent

Salary: $103,000

Closing Date: March 14, 2008

Downloads:

• Job Application
• Job Brochure

The Position

The Alexander Valley Union School District Board of Trustees is looking for a dynamic person for a unique leadership position. The superintendent/principal should be enthusiastic about mastering the wide range of skills necessary to provide an exemplary school program in a small school setting.

As the sole administrator of this basic aid district, the superintendent/principal will be highly knowledgeable about all areas of school management: finance, human resources, law, curriculum and facilities. With the understanding that “If it needs doing, I'll do it,” the superintendent/principal will also have the entrepreneurial spirit to seek and maximize the resources available to a small school. As superintendent and advocate for the school, the new leader will work at the state level as well as with the local community to provide for the students and their school. As the sole administrator, the principal position is of central importance to the school.

The successful candidate must have the skills to work with the faculty and staff who provide a strong academic program to a diverse group of students. An understanding of all aspects of elementary curriculum, including special education and English language learning, is necessary.

The Community

Alexander Valley is located 80 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. Noted for its premium agricultural land, Alexander Valley is home to over 200 independent farmers and 28 wineries, and has become recognized worldwide for its superior wines. While this recognition has added to the sophistication of the valley, the community maintains its rural character with a stable base of families – many of whom have been growers in the valley for several generations.

Community members take pride in their history and tradition. The wide socioeconomic range in the area is reflected in a richly diverse student population. Nearby Healdsburg provides arts and cultural events, and has become a destination point for fine cuisine. Parents and community members feel a strong kinship with their school, and provide extraordinarily strong support. Along with the agricultural association, the fire department, and the community center, the district is a focus of the community.

The District

The district is composed of one K-6 elementary school with 125 students. The eight-member teaching staff provides an excellent education for all students. Academics are stressed with emphasis placed on language arts and mathematics. All grades participate in the Open Court program; the upper grades reinforce their learning by reading the works of great authors. Writing and grammar are stressed at each level. Mathematics culminates with the opportunity for formal algebra instruction in the sixth grade. Programs in art, music/band and technology are also provided, thanks to the parents’ club.

A gifted and talented program also serves grades three through six. API scores are strong. The district enjoys an excellent reputation, and has a large number of incoming interdistrict transfer students. Because of its tradition, size, strong academic program, diversity and caring environment, Alexander Valley combines the best elements of a public school and a private school in its program delivery.

The school is characterized by a strong extended-family environment, and students receive much individual support for their learning. “No child left behind” was in place in Alexander Valley long before the requirement was legislated.

The student population is approximately 30 percent Latino and 70 percent Anglo. In the summer of 2007, the district completed its facilities modernization project and built a new library/technology center. A basic aid district, Alexander Valley has an annual budget of $1.5 million and is financially sound.

Selection Criteria

The following criteria represent standards to be used in the evaluation of applications and in the selection of the superintendent/principal.

Professional Experience and Preparation

• Master’s degree required
• Classroom teaching experience required
• Administrative experience, preferably at the elementary level, required
• Smaller school district experience preferred
• Ability to speak Spanish, a plus
• Experience in a multicultural environment, a plus

Professional Characteristics

• Holds high expectations for student achievement
• Accepts responsibility for all aspects of the school district
• Comfortable in a multi-tasking environment
• Works collegially with other school districts, the county office and SELPA
• Provides the vision to build on the school’s successes
• Politically astute, locally and statewide
• Works to maintain a nurturing school environment
• Has a strong background in elementary curriculum and instruction
• Has strong technology skills and embraces the importance of technology in education
• Has a collaborative style of leadership and is able to be a team builder
• Knows the budget process and has a good sense of finances
• Skilled in all areas of school district management
• Energetic, task oriented; gets things done
• Demonstrates flexibility

Personal Characteristics

• An excellent communicator with students, parents, staff, board and community
• Experience in and comfortable with a consensus style of management
• Comfortable in a family-like atmosphere where everyone is directly affected by every decision
• Has the ability to bring the community together to support the school
• A hands-on, visible leader in both the classroom and the community
• Good people skills; a good listener
• Optimistic, forward thinking and change orientented
• Displays honesty and integrity; “walks the talk”
• Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit

Application Procedure

All applications will be held strictly confidential. Each applicant is requested to follow the procedures listed below. Those applicants wishing additional information should contact the adviser at CSBA (916) 669-3297.

Applications are to be sent to:
Alexander Valley Union School District
c/o Mr. Ken Matheson, Adviser
California School Boards Association
3100 Beacon Blvd., Suite ALEX
West Sacramento, CA 95691

All applicants must provide the following items by the closing date, Friday, March 14, 2008, to be considered. For duplication purposes, please do not bind materials.

• A completed Application Information Form. (Please complete as instructed; do not complete by stating “see attached résumé”.) The Application Information Form and brochure may be downloaded via CSBA’s Web page at www.csba.org/es.
• A personal letter of application stating reasons for interest in the Alexander Valley Union School District superintendent/principal position.
• A résumé providing biographical background information about educational preparation, experience, and achievements.
• A placement file and/or five (5) current letters of professional references describing the applicant’s performance in previously held positions.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange to have placement papers or reference letters forwarded in time to meet the Friday, March 14, 2008 deadline. Additional brochures may be requested by calling the CSBA 24-hour Brochure Request Line at (916) 669-3296.

Selection Procedure

A professional screening committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant. The board and the screening committee will use the described criteria during the screening, interviewing, and final decision-making process. After receiving and studying the report of the screening committee, the board will select the candidates to be interviewed.

After the initial interviews, the board will select candidates for the final interviews, conduct the interviews, and select the superintendent/principal. Any applicant who contacts a board member with the intent of influencing the board’s decision will be disqualified.

Travel expenses for those candidates selected for the initial interview will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for April 11, 12 and 13, 2008.

Salary and Contract Terms

The Alexander Valley Union School District Board of Trustees will offer a salary of $103,000 (competitive and negotiable) plus a benefits package to the successful candidate, based on that individual’s experience and qualifications. The board intends to offer a multi-year contract.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide the district with employment eligibility and verification of citizenship in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, and undergo a pre-employment physical at district expense.

Board of Education