Position Title: Superintedent

Salary: Competitive and Negotiable

Closing Date: June 8, 2007

Downloads:

• Job Application
• Job Brochure

The Community

El Centro is the county seat of Imperial County. Its central location in the Imperial Valley allows it to function as a service and retail center for the local agri-business and recreational economy.

Approximately 39,000 people reside within the district boundaries of this desert community, which is bordered by Riverside County to the north, San Diego County to the west and Yuma, Arizona to the east. The nearest urban city is San Diego, which is 120 miles away. However, the border city of Mexicali has over 1,000,000 people. The warm climate invites winter visitors from Canada and northern parts of the United States to enjoy golf, fishing, water sports and other desert recreational activities and the cost of housing is reasonable.

Nearby Imperial Valley College provides area residents a wide variety of classes and the Imperial Valley campus of San Diego State University is in nearby Calexico and Brawley. The Southwest Performing Arts Center provides a venue for a variety of cultural and entertainment events.

Mission Statement

The El Centro Elementary School District is committed to making real improvements in our schools. Our mission is to ensure greater success for all members of our diverse student population. The district will reform its schools in collaboration with key stakeholders in the El Centro School District community. These include leaders in local business, community organizations, higher education and foundations, as well as parents, students, the board of trustees and district staff (administrators, teachers and classified employees). All of us have a stake in creating schools for a better community, and a community for better schools.

The District

The El Centro Elementary School District is composed of approximately 5,800 students in grades K-8. There are nine elementary and two middle schools in the district. There has been a record of continuous progress for student achievement over the last several years resulting in two schools receiving California Distinguished School Recognition, three schools attaining Title I Achievement School status and one middle school being named a National Middle School to Watch. We have a dedicated staff of 360 certificated employees and 340 classified employees.

The community successfully approved a Modernization and Construction Bond in 2003 resulting in modernization and new construction projects at most campuses. There is a history of successful outreach with community organization and service clubs resulting in improved services for students and families. A full complement of instructional programs is offered including GATE, special education and most categorical programs. An emphasis has been placed on academic success for all students at the elementary and middle school level. The District has a nationally recognized elementary school science program serving as a hub for many of the other districts in Imperial County.

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

• Classroom teaching experience (5 years)
  
• Principal experience, preferably at the elementary level
  
• Master’s degree
  
• District office experience or equivalent
  
• Administrative experience, including site and/or district office
  
• California Teaching and Administrative Credential required or must be eligible for California certification
  
• Doctorate preferred
  
• Bilingual in Spanish and English desired

Personal Characteristics

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

• Ability to bring people together to work toward a common goal
  
• Possess a strong work ethic; gets things done; follows through on commitments
  
• Works to build a climate of trust
  
• Stands by decisions made in the best interest of students
  
• A good role model for staff and students
  
• Visible at district activities as well as in the classroom
  
• Honest and forthright; a person of integrity and trustworthiness
  
• A proactive and creative problem solver who has the courage to deal with difficult issues
  
• Is adaptable, fair, affable and open-minded with actions demonstrating students are the focus of decision-making
  
• An enthusiastic and energetic team player and team builder who recognizes the abilities and contributions of all
  
• Is respectful of differing opinions
  
• Demonstrates a strong sense of ethics, including honesty and fairness

Professional Skills and Abilities

• Is an effective communicator who establishes formal and informal methods of communicating with all stakeholders on a regular basis
  
• Is a good listener and responsive to input
  
• Understands the power of technology as a tool and has demonstrated experience in this field
  
• Has a good understanding of district and budget systems
  
• Develops trusting relationships throughout the system by holding people accountable, yet recognizing and celebrating success and excellence
  
• Has demonstrated background of understanding state and federal mandates (including NCLB, program improvement, English language learning and special education) and knows how to successfully meet their requirements
  
• Maintains knowledge of effective programs and best practices that result in student academic success as well as the latest developments, strategies, research and reform
  
• Experienced in successfully building and maintaining positive relationships with employee associations/unions and their leadership
  
• Familiar with and can lead complex school systems and their components
  
• Experienced in managing personnel, including supervising employee evaluation programs
  
• Provides stability to district through visionary leadership and long-term planning
  
• Hold high standards of achievement for all students
  
• Understands facilities, bond issues, and supports a strong maintenance program
  
• Experienced in negotiations with labor organizations
  
• Ability to work with various government agencies to provide the best for the district
  
• Respects and supports instruction in the visual and performing arts
  
• Knowledgeable in the area of special education

Board Relationships

• Work effectively and efficiently to implement board actions, foster a common vision and commitment, maintain a strong governance team model and establish strong superintendent/board relations
  
• Work openly with the board to ensure that its members receive all relevant information in a timely manner, including advice and recommendations necessary to make informed decisions
  
• Works well with board members individually and collectively-understands how an effective governance team works and provides direction and support to all members
  
• Open and honest with the board; provides leadership to build a strong governance team

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 CSBA adviser at (916) 669-3297. For duplication purposes, please do not bind application materials.

Applications are to be sent to:

El Centro Elementary School District
c/o Molly McGee-Hewitt, Director,
Executive Search Services and Dr. Gilbert G. Garcia, Adviser
California School Boards Association
3100 Beacon Blvd., Suite EL CENTRO
West Sacramento, CA 95691

All applicants must provide the following items by the closing date, June 8, 2007 (5:00 p.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 El Centro Elementary School District superintendent 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 June 8, 2007 (5:00 p.m.) 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 and interview the top candidates.

The board will select candidates for the final interviews, conduct the interviews and select the superintendent. 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.

Salary and Contract Terms

The El Centro Elementary School District Board of Education will offer a competitive and negotiable salary based on that 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