Position Title: Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum
Salary: $124,455
Closing Date: March 30, 2007
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The Position
The Rincon Valley Union School District is seeking an experienced assistant superintendent, Curriculum. The ideal candidate will be a strong instructional leader who is dedicated to and has a proven record of improving student achievement. The candidate must have knowledge of instructional technology, and an understanding of alternative avenues of learning. The person selected will be responsible for the operation of the district’s curriculum and instructional program, and be responsible for the implementation of the philosophy, goals, policies and regulations of the district. The candidate must also possess strong interpersonal skills and be a team player.
The duties and responsibilities of the position include:
- Providing district leadership and direction to the curriculum and instructional improvement process.
- Supporting the researched-based practices and standards based curriculum.
- Planning and presenting professional development programs leading to improved teaching practices.
- Managing programs funded by federal, state and private sources.
- Developing an effective, integrated technology program.
- Coordinating the district’s assessment and data analysis practices.
- Supervising staff for district curriculum programs.
- Preparing and managing budgets.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative organizational, public and educational community relationships.
The Community
Rincon Valley is a premier district in a picturesque part of northern California. The district is on the east side of the city of Santa Rosa and includes both small city and rural areas. The surrounding countryside includes vineyard-lined hillsides, the Russian River watershed and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
This warm and friendly area – a blend of art and culture, food, wine and recreation – is the perfect location for families. Located 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, the area is close to many wineries and golf courses, as well as hot air ballooning and spas. Additional outdoor activities include fishing and water sports on the Russian River and Lake Sonoma, and access to redwood forests. The area also has wonderful state and local parks with miles of jogging and biking trails.
Rincon Valley is about 20 minutes away from Sonoma State University, and close to Santa Rosa Junior College, one of the top 10 community colleges in the country.
The District
Rincon Valley Union School District has an excellent program supporting all of our students. The K-6 district of 2,700 students operates eight schools and a 7-8 charter school. The eight sites are relatively small, with an average enrollment of 335 students. There are 169 teachers and 400 district employees. The district has a strong standards-based curriculum and accountability system. The students have excellent test scores and all of the sites have API scores in excess of 800. The assistant superintendent of curriculum has two experienced teachers who act as team leaders and work directly with teachers and principals at the school sites. In addition the department has a GATE coordinator. There is also a special education program manager who is responsible for the special education program for the entire district.
The district has a strong support team, offers extended-day kindergarten, and has four full-time music teachers, art and dance docents, and science facilitators. The after-school program includes tutoring, sports, day care, enrichment classes, and summer camp.
The district prides itself in its ability to be creative. The Rincon Valley Charter School is an example of our creativity. In its fourth year of operation, is at capacity serving 160 seventh and eight grade students. The charter is located on a district campus and is operated as a dependent charter. The educational program includes Apple’s one-to-one laptop technology with a strong project-based middle school curriculum.
The district has a general fund budget of $21.2 million, a reasonable reserve, and a stable student enrollment.
The district receives excellent support from its parents and community as is evidenced by the successful passage of a parcel tax in November 2006 with a strong yes vote for music, technology and library services. In addition the community passed a $24 million construction bond measure. The district just completed its project that included modernization of classrooms and administrative wings, and construction of kindergarten complexes and a library/computer lab complex at seven of the eight district schools. All the district schools have been completely modernized.
Selection Criteria
The following criteria represent standards to be used in the evaluation of applicants and in the selection of the assistant superintendent for curriculum.
Professional Experience and Preparation
- California Administrative Credential required
- California Teaching Credential required
- Master’s degree required
- Elementary classroom teaching experience required – 5 years minimum
- Administrative experience required – 3 years minimum
Professional Characteristics
The ideal candidate is someone who:
- Has a solid and proven background in curriculum and staff development, and understands current educational theory and instructional techniques.
- Is a person with courage, intelligence and pragmatism who is willing to take risks to achieve educational excellence and equitable opportunities for all students.
- Has a record of initiating exemplary programs for all students.
- Inspires and encourages creativity in district school faculty and staff by providing for positive well-considered change, while maintaining programs of proven value.
- Is able to analyze and manage educational assessment data.
- Demonstrates excellent communication skills – both oral and written– with staff, board and community.
- Has recent experience with integrating technology into the teaching learning process.
- Has a style that is open and inquisitive, and the personality to work with, listen to, and be sensitive to people.
- Has evidence of the ability to affect achievement and delivery of service with a relatively diverse student population.
- Has experience in developing programs for English Language Learners.
- Has knowledge about and has managed categorical programs.
- Is a team player with collaborative management skills.
- Has strong organizational skills and is able to multi-task.
Personal Characteristics
The ideal candidate is someone who:
- Is a positive leader with strong human relations skills who is compassionate and personable.
- Is optimistic and forward thinking.
- Is a hands-on, visible leader in both the district and the community.
- Understands that kids and learning are the focus of everything the district does.
- Has a sense of humor.
- Is energetic and has strong beliefs and innovative ideas.
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, Ken Matheson, at 916-669-3297. You may download an application by visiting www.csba.org/es.
For duplication purposes, please do not bind application materials.
Applications are to be sent to:
Rincon Valley Union School District
Ken Matheson, Adviser
California School Boards Association
3100 Beacon Blvd., Ste. Rincon
West Sacramento, CA 95691
All applicants must provide the following items by the closing date, March 30, 2007 at (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 att www.csba.org/es
- A personal letter of application stating reasons for interest in the Rincon Valley Union School District Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum position.
- A résumé providing biographical background information about educational preparation, experience, and achievements.
- Five (5) current letters of professional references describing the applicant’s performance in previously held positions.
- A placement file from an accredited university is optional.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange to have placement papers or reference letters forwarded in time to meet the March 30, 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 selection criteria described above will be used during the screening, interviewing, and final decision-making process. After receiving the report of the screening committee, the superintendent will select candidates to be interviewed.
The initial interviews will be with the superintendent and an advisory committee. The top candidates will have a final interview with the superintendent and the full board. The superintendent and the board will make the final decision and select the assistant superintendent.
Travel expenses for those candidates selected for initial interviews will be the responsibility of the candidate.
Salary and Contract Terms
The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience – up to $124,455. An attractive fringe benefit package is also offered.
This is a twelve month position.