Position Title: Superintendent

Salary: $185,000

Closing Date: March 26, 2007

Downloads:

• Job Application
• Job Brochure

The Position

The Board of Trustees of Pittsburg Unified School District is seeking an exemplary leader to serve as the next superintendent. The ideal candidate will have an enthusiastic appreciation for the unique Pittsburg community and will build on the accomplishments of the past few years. By working collaboratively with staff, community and board, the new superintendent will intensify the district’s effort to increase achievement for all students. By understanding the importance of family support for student learning, the superintendent will promote home/school partnerships that increase student success. The person will embrace the district’s cultural diversity and will build on its tradition of becoming stronger through accepting and appreciating differences. As chief spokesperson for education in the community, the superintendent will share the district’s accomplishments and promote the pride that the community takes in the schools.

The Community

Pittsburg is located in Contra Costa County on the upper bay delta of the San Joaquin River. An hour’s drive from San Francisco, the community of 58,600 is connected to the Bay Area by a rapid transit system. There is easy access to educational, cultural and recreational opportunities. The community is rich in diversity and is a study in the strength that comes from people with different backgrounds working together successfully. The area has long history of different cultures learning to work together, dating back to the influx of workers to the shipyards in the area during World War II. The community exhibits much pride in its accomplishments and is strongly supportive of the schools. This support is demonstrated by the passage of facilities bonds in 2004 with a 79% approval rate and a 74% approval rate in 2006. While the area continues to grow, with 1,000 new multiple and single family residences in progress, there remains a feeling of kinship associated with the original smaller town. The city is now in the process of redeveloping the older downtown area as well as implementing a master plan for the marina area. The river delta offers year round recreational opportunities. The nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range is well known for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and fishing in the summer. Higher education is available at Los Medanos College, the University of California at Berkeley, California State University East Bay, the University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s College and other colleges and universities.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of Pittsburg Unified School District to inspire our students, to ensure they achieve equity in academic excellence and to bring students closer together through shared experiences in learning. We believe the cultural diversity of our community and our youth are our greatest assets. We endeavor to bring our students to their fullest potential and to create life long learners who will contribute positively to the world.

The District

The Pittsburg Unified School District is a Pre K-Adult school district, with the K-12 schools serving 9,348 students. There are seven elementary schools, two junior high schools, a comprehensive high school and a continuation school. A new elementary school and a new junior high will open in 2008. Adult education programs, a regional occupational program, an independent study program, a vocational education program and a preschool/child center program provide additional opportunities to meet a variety of student needs. Extensive special education programs, ECIA Title 1 Programs, English Language Development and computer assisted instruction are also part of the program. The last few years reflect a renewed emphasis on teamwork throughout the district and student achievement scores have steadily improved. The district’s average API scores have improved from 569 to 688 since 2000, representing an average gain of 119 points per school. The parents and community have partnered with the district to provide a strong family and community presence in the schools. These partnerships are evidenced by the overwhelmingly positive acceptance of the K-8 mandatory school uniform policy which signals a mutual commitment to safe schools. The dramatic increase in parent involvement has been a powerful force in increasing student achievement. As test scores continue to improve, there is also a targeted effort to assist underperforming students through new data analysis tools, cross-grade level collaboration, teacher training and multiple intervention programs. The progress of the last few years has inspired staff, parents and the community to work toward the next level of achievement with a dedication to the success of every student. The board of trustees has demonstrated a tireless commitment to assuring that Pittsburg USD is an exemplary model of high student achievement in a diverse culture that is 50% Hispanic, 23% African American, 8% Caucasian, 6% Filipino, 3% Asian and 10% Other/No Response.

Selection Criteria

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

Professional Experience and Preparation

• Classroom teaching experience required
  
• Superintendent or deputy/assistant superintendent experience required
  
• Site principal experience required
  
• Master’s degree required, doctorate preferred
  
• Bilingual (Spanish) desirable
• Experience in a diverse workplace needed

Personal Characteristics

• Excellent communication skills; listens and responds to staff, community and the board
  
• Appreciates the unique history and accomplishments of the Pittsburg community
  
• Interested in becoming an active and integral part of the community
  
• Courageous in making decisions that are in best interest of students
  
• Ability to bring people together to work toward a common goal
  
• Seeks diverse opinions and values input from all constituents
  
• Respectful, open and honest in working with others
  
• Approachable and accessible to staff and parents; visible
  
• Skilled in public relations; takes pride in district accomplishments
  
• Energetic; has a positive attitude
  
• An achiever who is a role model for staff and students
  
• Down-to-earth type of person with a sense of humor

Professional Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates visionary leadership to set the direction for the district
  
• A systems thinker who can maximize the available resources
  
• Has a clear understanding of budget and finance issues
  
• Understands K-12 curriculum; will lead the district to the next level of accomplishment
  
• Communicates regularly with the board; provides leadership to build a strong governance team
  
• Demonstrates ability to build cohesiveness in a culturally diverse community
  
• Ability to work collaboratively with employee organizations
  
• Understands facilities issues; ability to oversee bond projects
  
• Determined and relentless in promoting achievement for all students
  
• Demonstrates integrity and honesty; instills trust among staff, community and the board
  
• Supports and mentors other district administrators
  
• Success in working with socially and economically challenged students

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:

Pittsburg Unified School District
c/o Dr .Elaine Collins, Adviser
California School Boards Association
3100 Beacon Blvd., Suite Pittsburg
West Sacramento, CA 95691

All applicants must provide the following items by the closing date, March 26, 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 Pittsburg Unified 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 March 26, 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 interviews will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Salary and Contract Terms

The Pittsburg Unified School District Board of Education will offer a salary of $185,000 (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 in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Board of Education