Position Title: Superintendent

Salary: $170,00 -$180,000

Closing Date: September 15, 2006

Downloads:

• Job Application
• Job Brochure

The Position

The Board of Education of the Culver City Unified School District invites qualified and dedicated professional educators with strong instructional, leadership and executive skills to apply for the position of superintendent.

Our Board is seeking a dynamic, visionary, collaborative leader with a passion for children and public education. We have a distinguished history of stable leadership and community support for our schools and our school district. Our ideal candidate will foster and continue this history and work with us to enhance our programs and educational system.

The Community

Culver City is a unique and diverse community in the heart of Los Angeles County. Located eight miles from downtown Los Angeles, five miles from the Pacific Ocean, and two miles from the Los Angeles International Airport, our students and their families have access to many educational and recreational activities and venues. Despite our urban location, we enjoy the charm of a small town complete with tree lined residential areas.

Culver City has a thriving business community with an emphasis on the entertainment industry. The city seal includes the motto, “The Heart of Screenland.” Culver City is the home of Culver Studios, Sony Studios and a variety of movie, television, recording studios and related businesses. It is also the home of Symantec Corporation, famous for production of the Norton Anti-Virus software.

Support for our schools includes a variety of partnerships, and the active participation of the Culver City Education Foundation and the many active members of the Culver City Parent Teacher Association. Annually, thousands of dollars are generated in donations to improve our classrooms and to enhance opportunities for our students.

More information about our community can be obtained by visiting the city Web site at www.culvercity.org.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Culver City Unified School District, a diverse haven of excellence, is to ensure that each student possesses the academic and personal skills necessary to achieve his/her highest potential as a valued, responsible member of society by providing challenging, personalized educational experiences in a safe, nurturing environment and by fostering a passion for teaching and learning with committed parent and community involvement.

The District

Our district serves more than 6,000 students. Our district is composed of five elementary schools (including a language magnet), Culver City Middle School, Culver City High School, Culver Park High School (an alternative high school), Culver City Adult School and a Children’s Center.
The district is proud of the five schools that have been named California Distinguished Schools. Culver City Middle School has been named a School to Watch for the second time. Our students score well on state and national scholastic tests. More than 330 certificated teachers provide classroom instruction along with our support staff of 300 classified employees. Over half of our certificated staff hold advanced degrees.

Our schools provide our diverse population of students with a high-quality, comprehensive K-12 educational program. Our district was one of the first in California to pilot strategic planning and to foster student, parent, community and staff involvement in decision making.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit our district Web site at www.ccusd.k12.ca.us to learn more about our outstanding students, staff and district programs.

Selection Criteria

The Board of Education is actively seeking staff and community involvement in the superintendent selection process. Finalists will be provided with data and information from this process before interviews are held.

The following criteria represent the standards to be used in the evaluation of applications for the selection of the Superintendent.

Professional Experience and Preparation

• California Teaching and Administrative Credentials required.
  
• Masters degree required. Doctorate is optional.
  
• Classroom teaching experience required.
  
• Administrative experience at the site and district level, required.

Personal Characteristics

The board and the community anticipate that the successful candidate will be one who:

• A “people person” with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• A passion for public education and the children we serve.
  
• A high degree of personal and professional integrity and ethics.
  
• Demonstrated leadership in team building and in establishing collaborative partnerships.
  
• A good sense of humor and the ability to keep issues in perspective and focus.
  
• A strong work ethic and the ability to model effective leadership practices.
  
• Strong decision-making skills.
  
• Active listening skills and experience in conflict resolution.
  
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with an attention to details and priorities.

Professional Skills and Abilities

Our ideal candidate will be an individual who:

• Embraces the challenge of improving student achievement and academic excellence.
  
• Understands and appreciates the diverse student population and the community we serve.
  
• Understands and appreciates the diverse student population and the community we serve.
  
• Works cooperatively and closely with local, state and national educational organizations to secure additional funding opportunities.
  
• Has a working knowledge and appreciation for special education programs.
  
• Encourages and promotes parent and community involvement at all levels.
  
• Builds strong alliances and collaborative relationships with local city government and business leaders.
  
• Understands collective bargaining and the value of a positive professional relationship with employee organizations.
  
• Understands and supports the role of the Board and the value of the governance team concept.
  
• Ensures that sound fiscal and business management practices are utilized.
  
• Establishes practices and procedures that recruit, train, evaluate and retain exemplary employees at all levels.
  
• Builds employee morale and support for the programs and projects.
  
• Accepts responsibility for actions and has the courage to act in the best interest of all students.
  
• Politically astute and independent.
  
• Understanding of the California legislative and educational system.
  
• A visionary leader who promotes and encourages others to excellence and leadership.
  
• Can provide strong leadership and direction in a challenging and changing environment.
  
• Can successfully assign responsibility, empower staff and insist on accountability.

Application Procedure

All applications will be held strictly confidential. Each applicant is requested to follow the procedures listed below. Those applicants who wish additional information should contact the adviser at CSBA 916 669-3292. This brochure and the required application may be downloaded by visiting the CSBA Web site at CSBA.org and accessing Executive Search Services. For duplication purposes, please do not bind application materials.

Applications are to be sent to:

Culver City Unified School District
c/o Molly McGee Hewitt, Director
Executive Search Services
California School Boards Association
3100 Beacon Blvd, Suite CC
West Sacramento, CA 95691

All applicants must provide the following items by the closing date, September 15, 2006 (5:00p.m.), to be considered:

• 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 Culver City Unified School District superintendent position
  
• A résumé providing biographical background information about educational preparation, experience, and achievements
  
• Five current letters of professional references describing the applicant’s performance in previously held positions.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange to have the completed application, including reference letters forwarded in time to meet the September 15, 2006 (5:00 p.m.) deadline. Additional brochures or applications 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 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 and interview the top candidates.

The board will select candidates for final interviews, conduct the interviews and select the superintendent. Any applicant who contacts board members with the intent of influencing the board’s decision will be disqualified.

Travel expense for those candidates selected for the initial interviews will be the responsibility of the candidates.

Salary and Contract Terms

The Culver City Unified School District Board of Education will offer a salary of $170,00 -$180,000 (competitive and negotiable), plus fringe benefits to the successful candidate, based on the individual’s experience and qualifications.

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.

Board of Education