During its March 2 meeting, the Douglas Unified School District Governing Board approved qualifications and abilities it is looking for in its next superintendent.

A work session was held on February 24 in which desired qualifications for an incoming superintendent were discussed. Attached is a draft developed.

Current Superintendent Earl Pettit is on a paid leave until the end of his current contract (June 30, 2010)

Ray Borane is acting as Chief Administrative Officer for the district until the end of the fiscal year.

The distinct needed to come up with qualifications, abilities, knowledge base and leadership attributes for the Arizona School Board Association which will be conducting the superintendent search.

Qualifications

•Certified in Arizona or assurance that a successful qualifying process has begun

•Five years teaching experience and administrative experience, preferred

•Masters degree is required at minimum

•Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred

•Willing to make a personal and professional commitment to our rural. Southern Arizona community, to include residing within district boundaries

Knowledge Base - Proven ability to:

•Embrace, respect and understand the rural, multi-cultural historic socioeconomic diversity issues of the Douglas community

•Establish a collaborative process to set vision/mission and strategic institutional planning to continue to move students and Douglas Unified School District to excellence

•Build an all-inclusive process for successful District and school decision making

•Develop an ongoing communication plan internally and throughout the community that promotes successes of students, staff, schools and programs

•Provide the leadership necessary for a successful staff development program that is focused on needs and talents of al’ staff

•Demonstrate strong financial leadership and understanding of school finance; including grants, bond and override elections, and USFR compliance

•Develop and implement a district-wide curriculum that includes articulation among schools, grade revels, subjects and programs

•Develop and implement an effective personnel management system in a collaborative manner

•Understand and implement the components of state and federally mandated programs

•Set high standards for the construction and maintenance of facilities while working with the Arizona School Facilities Board

•Support district-wide technology for teaching and learning

•Communicate a vision for the future of DUSD to students, staff and community

Leadership attributes

•Is guided by a strong ethical core that genuinely enjoys and values children

•Provides strong leadership for Douglas Unified School District and the Douglas community to move our children to academic excellence

• Models listening skills that value students, staff, parents and community and maintains a professional presence at all times

• Utilizes a strong! decentralized readership style that focuses on team building and transparency, and selecting and mentoring can do leaders

• Follows through after decisions are made and holds all staff accountable.

• Maintains a positive attitude with strong people skills; flexible and patient while working under pressure

• Respects and honors the commitment of the staff of Douglas Unified School District classified certified and administrative

• Visible within the schools by visiting classrooms and attending events

Visible within the Douglas community by attending community functions

• Maintains a personal knowledge base of state and national education issues and advocates on behalf of DUSD with decision makers

• Creates strong alliances with higher education and local government leader

Transparent and accountable to students, parents, employees and the community