Position Title: Superintendent

Salary: $130,000

Closing Date: May 21, 2007

Downloads:

• Job Application
• Job Brochure

The Position

The Board of Education of the Greenfield Union School District invites well qualified, successful leaders to apply for the position of district superintendent. The superintendent serves as the chief executive officer and secretary to the board of education. He/She provides overall leadership for the educational program and operation of the district, including the areas of curriculum, instruction, management, finance and budgeting, personnel administration and coordination with other agencies and civic organizations.

The Community

The Greenfield Union School District is located in the heart of John Steinbeck country in the beautiful Salinas Valley. It is a thriving farm community located in one of the most fertile and productive agricultural areas in the world — about 35 miles south of Salinas on Highway 101.

It is an ideal area to raise a family and enjoy a tranquil and rural lifestyle-while at the same time being in close proximity to San Francisco and the beautiful Monterey Peninsula with its beaches, fine restaurants and cultural attractions. Residents have easy access to both the Ventana and Big Sur wilderness areas.

The population is growing, affordable housing is available and many job opportunities can be found. For years, the town of Greenfield has had the lowest crime rate in Monterey County.

The District

Greenfield Union School District is a K-8 district consisting of four schools (three elementary and one middle school). The district plans to begin construction on a new elementary school this summer. The district serves approximately 2,500 students, and employs 145 certificated and 113 classified staff members. The current budget is approximately $19,127,000.

District salaries are competitive and an excellent benefit program is provided for employees and their families. The district provides a strong mentor and BTSA support program for new teachers.

The district’s instructional program is child-centered and focused to prepare its students with a quality education. Greenfield Union School District offers its students a number of innovative programs, including early exit bilingual, two-way, English/Spanish immersion, Even Start, and a Migrant Education Program. Supplemental Educational Services and a Saturday Academy for underperforming students is provided for elementary students. The middle school offers its students an after-school Academy, the Advancement Via Individual Determination Program and the GEAR UP Program.

The ethnicity of the student body is: 96 percent Hispanic, 3 percent Caucasian, and 1 percent Other.

The district enjoys strong community support and encourages their involvement.

Selection Criteria

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

Professional Experience and Preparation

• Teaching and site-level administrative experience in a K-8 setting is preferred.
  
• District office experience which shows increasing levels of responsibility is preferred.
  
• Master’s degree or equivalent is required.
  
• Bilingual/Bicultural Spanish is preferred.

Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Is an advocate for educational and personal needs of students — puts kids first.
  
• Is a “people person” with strong public and human relations skills — a wam, visible leader and has an appropriate sense of humor.
  
• Communicates expectations clearly, sets a vision collaboratively and delegates appropriately.
  
• Exhibits the qualities of honesty, integrity, sincerity, courage and forthrightness when dealing with parents, students, staff, community members and the board of trustees.
  
• Has the ability to bring people together to work toward a common goal.
  
• Has the ability to provide an atmosphere for employees that promotes professional satisfaction and trust.
  
• Is a decisive leader who makes sound, difficult decisions and takes responsibility for those decisions.
  
• Has excellent knowledge of K-8 curriculum and understands current education theory, instructional techniques and curricular reforms.
  
• Understands the importance of community involvement and living in a rural agricultural setting; is willing to actively enter into the life of the community.

Professional Skills and Abilities

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has a commitment to academic excellence and a clear vision for education that maintains a focus and has a record of improving student performance.
  
• Has the ability to create a district climate of collaboration and consensus building.
  
• Has the ability to work effectively with the board, provide the board with relevant information, alternatives and recommendations to make informed decisions in a timely manner.
  
• Is able to manage fiscal resources wisely through knowledge of the budget, and uses a sound process for setting priorities; offers creative options and recommendations to the boardon budget matters.
  
• Has knowledge of the special needs, laws, and regulations regarding programs such as English Language Learners, English Language Development and special education.
  
• Can successfully plan and lead the district through the construction and successful opening of a new elementary school. Provides long range plans for future growth.
  
• Is able to build strong coalitions and partnerships with all segments of the community, including business and local governmental agencies.
  
• Has excellent communication skills — both oral and written.

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:

Greenfield Union School District
c/o Bill Murchison, Adviser
California School Boards Association
3100 Beacon Blvd., Suite Greenfield
West Sacramento, CA 95691

All applicants must provide the following items by the closing date, May 21, 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 Greenfield Union 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 May 21, 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 Greenfield Union School District Board of Education will offer a salary of $130,000 (competitive and negotiable) to the successful candidate, 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