Lakeside Union Elementary School District

Position Title: Superintendent/Principal

Salary: $90,000

Closing Date: August 31, 2006

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The Position

The Governing Board of the Lakeside Union Elementary School District is seeking qualified individuals with demonstrated leadership, managerial and positive interpersonal skills to apply for the position of Superintendent/Principal.

The Superintendent/Principal’s role is that of chief executive officer for the Governing Board. He/she will provide overall leadership for all educational programs, services and business operations of the district. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with all socio-economic and ethnic groups, and seek their input in meeting the educational needs of a diverse student population.

The Community

Lakeside Union Elementary School District is a rural school district in Kings County, and is one of the most unique school districts in the Golden State. Located in the quaint town of Hanford, residents enjoy a semi-rural life while still having only a 15- to 45-minute drive to the conveniences of the larger cities of Visalia and Fresno. Both cities offer major shopping and entertainment attractions along with universities and colleges for professional advancement.

Located near the center of the San Joaquin Valley, the most productive agricultural region in the world, Hanford is 210 miles southeast of San Francisco and 195 miles north of Los Angeles. This town’s central location provides access to the many cultural and recreational activities of the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles metropolitan areas as well as natural beauty sites of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Recreation opportunities are abundant in nearby Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks to the east. By heading west—only a couple of hours away—is the Pacific Ocean. It is an ideal town for those who enjoy the quality of rural life and love a central location for travel and outdoor recreation.

The District

The Lakeside Union Elementary School District serves its students in a setting that is safe and conducive to learning. Currently serving 440 students, the district has two schools, Gardenside Elementary (K-3) and Lakeside School (4-8). A dedicated staff of approximately 30 certificated and 50 classified personnel serves a diverse ethnic student population. The demographics of the district reflect a population of 58% Hispanic, 16% African-American, 15% Caucasian, 9% Asian and 2% Other.

It is the vision of the Lakeside Union Elementary School District that all students acquire the knowledge, abilities, attitudes and desire to actualize their full potential. The district faces the challenge of educating many children who come to the school lacking numerous fundamental skills and the background necessary to help promote early success. The majority of the students qualify for the federal nutrition programs, migrant education, and Title I services. Therefore, the district is committed to providing a variety of educational, social and cultural programs and services, as well as a variety of opportunities responsive to the needs of their community.

The district enjoys a tradition of educational excellence provided by a stable caring staff through its quality education programs that include class size reduction, English as a second language, special education, libraries, technology, and extra-curricular activities for the students.

The district believes that staff in-service and professional growth are critical elements in providing teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve curriculum and student achievement. The district’s general operating fund is $2.7 million. The district is participating in the State Modernization Program in an effort to improve its school facilities.

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

Masters degree and administrative credential required
Experience as a classroom teacher, preferably K-8
Experience as a school-site principal or site-level administrator
Experience in a small rural school system preferred
Experience with minority student population preferred

Professional Characteristics

Has high integrity and is honest, fair and trustworthy.
Is highly visible and active in the community, schools and worksites.
Is a confident, caring person with a good sense of humor and effective listening skills; who is approachable and accessible to parents, staff, and members of the community.
Is an effective leader who uses a collaborative approach to problem solving; makes timely recommendations and decisions, and accepts the responsibility for both.
Is forceful enough to run the school system, yet confident enough to consult and involve others in the process.
Is sensitive and responsive to the educational needs and concerns of diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic groups.
Has demonstrated evidence of a high level of energy and motivation; is proactive, organized, diligent, task oriented, and professional.
Has excellent communication skills; listens, understands and responds; is open-minded, fair and objective.
Is a "people person" with strong public and human relations skills.

Personal Characteristics

Has a commitment to academic excellence and a clear vision for education that maintains a focus on improving student performance.
Will ensure that the governing board receives appropriate, timely and accurate information, advice, and recommendations in carrying out its functions.
Has the knowledge, background, and desire to lead and manage a small rural school district and its unique problems.
Has the ability to manage the district’s finances, facilities, and resources in a responsible manner, as well as the ability to seek and find new funding sources.
Has the knowledge and ability to develop strategies for improving district facilities.
Has the ability to select, motivate, and retain outstanding staff members.
Is committed to learning and understanding the school district community and its culture; sensitive and responsive to the unique needs of a diverse student population.
Is committed to being involved in the schools with students, parents and the community; able to effectively interact with, support, and involve parents and community groups.
Stays current with educational trends and issues, and is aware of compliance requirements; networks with local and regional administrators and accesses available county resources as needed.
Successfully pursues and develops close working relationships with public agencies in joint projects and community partnerships that provide additional resources and programs to the school district.

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. For duplication purposes, please do not bind application materials.

Applications are to be sent to:

Lakeside Union Elementary School District
c/o Dr. Wendell Chun, Adviser
California School Boards Association
3100 Beacon Blvd., Suite Lakeside
West Sacramento, CA 95691

All applicants must provide the following items by the closing date, August 31, 2006 (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 Lakeside Union Elementary 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 August 31, 2006 (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 Lakeside Union Elementary School District Board of Education will offer a salary of $90,000 (competitive and negotiable) plus fringe benefits 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.