This position is re-opened and is open until filled.

Position Title: Superintendent/Principal

Salary: $100,000

Downloads:

• Job Application
• Job Brochure

The Position

The Governing Board of the Big Valley Unified School District is seeking a qualified and competent professional with strong character, excellent communication skills and a proven track record of leadership. We seek a highly motivated individual with a passion for public education who will become an integral and visible member of our community who enjoys working in a small, rural environment.

The Community

The Big Valley Unified School District encompasses the area known as Big Valley and serves the unincorporated communities of Adin, Bieber, Lookout and Nubieber. Big Valley is nestled in the northeast corner of California between the high mountain peaks of the southern Cascade mountain range. It is one of the most picturesque and unspoiled areas remaining in California. Located 85 miles east of Redding in rural Lassen and Modoc Counties Big Valley is in close proximity to the states of Oregon to the north and Nevada to the east.

Big Valley abounds with scenic beauty and natural resources. Within the valley are prime agricultural and timberland, lakes, mountain streams and miles of inland waters which offer numerous fishing, hunting and other recreational opportunities. The Ash Creek Wildlife Area, home to hundreds of acres of hunting, fishing and observational grounds is headquartered in the valley. This area is abundant in waterfowl including Canadian geese, a variety of ducks, mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, antelope and the bald eagle.

The major industries of the valley include state and federal natural resource agencies, logging, ranching and farming. Big Valley is a wonderful place to raise children in a safe and clean environment. Families have ranched in the valley for over 150 years.

For additional information about Big Valley call the Big Valley Chamber of Commerce at (530) 294-5700.

Mission Statement

We are committed to ensuring a safe and caring learning environment that provides every student the opportunity to learn. Ours is an integrated learning community based upon the principles of dignity, competence and individual achievement.

Our Goals

• To provide a challenging, rich and disciplined learning environment
• To cultivate intellectual potential
• To develop the ability to make critical decisions in a complex technological world
• To develop social responsibility and citizenship shills
• To develop lifelong, independent learning skills

The District

The Big Valley Joint Unified School District is comprised of five school sites for students in grades PreK-12. Adin Primary, Big Valley Intermediate, Big Valley High, Gateway High and Big Valley Community Day School serve approximately 250 students. Our staff includes 31 classified and 18 certificated employees.

With the exception of Big Valley Intermediate each of the schools has recently been modernized. The Intermediate School will undergo a small modernization project during fiscal year 2008-09.
The governing board is committed to offering quality programs to meet the diversified educational needs of all students in the community. The district offers a home-based independent study program, an adult education program and a community day school.

Big Valley staff and community are dedicated to providing the highest–quality educational programs for their students. Staff continually seeks professional growth opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills in curricular areas, teaching/learning methods and educational technology.

The district prides itself on an educational program that is able to prepare students for continuing college or technical education. Title I, special education services, vocational/technical education, FFA and FHA are programs that further enhance the educational program.

An active community supports the goals and mission of the district. The community is noted for its ability to raise funds to support many school activities. The schools are truly the heart of the community. Regardless of the age of their children it is not uncommon to find most of our parents at school sporting and other events.
Big Valley Unified is fiscally solvent with a reserve far greater than what is required by Education Code. To learn more about our district and schools and view our School Accountability Report Cards, visit our Web site at www.bigvalleyschool.org.

Professional Experience and Preparation

• Successful classroom teaching experience
• Experience as a site administrator
• District level experience desirable
• Master’s Degree required
• Teaching and Administrative Credential Required

Professional Skills and Abilities

• Understands and is able to do all aspects of the Superintendent/Principal role
• Has strong leadership skills and is a person with courage who is willing to take risks to achieve educational excellence
• A leader who is able to listen to and collaborate with staff and community, but still make and stand by tough decisions
• Has leadership skills that challenge and motivate others to achieve high levels of performance
• Uses good communication skills; listens, understands, and responds to community, staff and students – gives clear messages
• Develops trusting relationships throughout the system by holding people accountable, yet recognizing and celebrating success and excellence
• Inspires and encourages creativity in school staff by providing for positive, well-considered change, while maintaining programs of proven value.
• Has a strong vision about education and a clear direction that can help improve the education of our children
• Has a strong curriculum and staff development background
• Knows how to budget effectively – is creative in finding and using resources
• Has a working knowledge of California State Standards, laws and regulations
• Has the ability to guide and advise the governing board in its different roles, while maintaining his/her responsibilities as chief executive officer
• Understands the power of technology as a tool and has demonstrated experience in this field
• Is an efficient manager who is comfortable in a multi-tasking environment and is able to delegate as necessary

Personal Characteristics

• Enjoys and appreciates nature, outdoor activities and living in a beautiful rural area.
• Has a passion and dedication for the education profession and the children we serve
• A hands-on, visible leader in both the classroom and the community
• Has the ability to bring the community together to continue to support the schools
• Displays honesty and integrity – “walks the talk”
• Understands the benefits of small/rural schools and communities
• Is a people person with strong public and human relations skills
• Energetic; gets things done
• A confident caring person who has a sense of humor

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:
Big Valley Jt. Unified School District
c/o Barry Reed, Adviser
California School Boards Association, Executive Search Services
3100 Beacon Blvd., Suite Big Valley
West Sacramento, CA 95691

All applicants must provide the following items 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.
• A personal letter of application stating reasons for interest in the Big Valley Jt. 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. Additional brochures may be requested by calling the CSBA 24-hour Brochure Request Line at (916) 669-3296.

This position has been re-opened and is open until filled.

Selection Procedure

A professional screening committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant. The board and screening committee will use the described criteria during the screening, interviewing and final decision-making process. After reviewing and studying the report of the steering 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. The board does have a community/staff advisory committee who will also interview applicants. Any applicant who contacts a board member with the intent of influencing the board’s decision will be disqualified.

Travel expenses for those selected for the initial interview will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Salary and Contract Terms

The Big Valley Joint Unified School District will offer a salary of $100,000 (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