Superintendent Search Higley Unified School District

Higley Unified School District
Superintendent Search
Get to know our…
Business Definition:
To provide and support
education for all learners
Core Purpose:
Connect. Engage. Inspire.
Core Values:
Positive, can-do attitude
Student focused
Accountable
Passionate about what we do
Strategic Anchors:
Student focused
Forward thinking
Value people
Get to Know Our Story
Higley Unified School District is an 11,500student district serving Arizona students in
preschool through high school. The boundaries
are a 24-square-mile area of south Gilbert
and north Queen Creek. A small north-eastern
portion rests in Mesa. This growing suburban
area of Phoenix is home to more than 230,000
people. Gilbert is the fifth-largest community in
an area known as “The Valley,” which includes
Phoenix and its surrounding communities. It is
also among the fastest growing municipalities in
the nation. Queen Creek is a neighborly town
with strong rural roots. It is an easy commute
from the Higley community to any area of the
Valley with the state’s thriving freeway system.
The Southeast Valley, which includes the Higley
school district, is also home to a growing
number of employers, from businesses in and
around Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to
Arizona State University and the Banner Health
System. Several private universities are also
opening in the community. Grand Canyon
University is building a new campus at Mesa’s
Eastmark and St. Xavier University is developing a campus in Gilbert’s Historical District.
The Higley area includes many town and
community parks, a regional library system,
numerous recreation and aquatic centers, and a
family-friendly environment.
Gilbert’s reputation as a family-friend community is backed by national rankings, including
the CNN/Money Magazine title as a “Best
Place to Live in the United States.” In 2013,
Law Street Media ranked Gilbert as the “2nd
safest city” of its size in the country. Higley has
a very involved community, with thousands of
volunteers and the highest survey-response
rates recorded when the district received its
national AdvancED accreditation.
Higley School District
Our Accomplishments
Our Forward Thinking
Our Governing Board
Our Ideal
Superintendent
Characteristics
Our Contact
Information
Get to Know Our Schools
Enrollment: 11,500
AP courses: 17
Elementary schools: 8,
including 1 traditional
academy and 1 Mandarin
Immersion Magnet
Dual enrollment courses: 23
American Indian/
Alaskan - .90 %
Asian - 4.43%
Varsity athletics: 20
Hispanic - 19.63%
Student Ethnicity
Employee Count
Middle schools: 2
African American - 4.36%
Our Requirements
Preschools: 2
Our Selection Process
High schools: 2
Support Staff - 483
Multi-ethnic - 3.35%
Certified Staff - 623
CONNECT, ENGAGE, INSPIRE
Page 2
Get to Know Our Accomplishments
The Higley Unified School
District is ranked No. 1 (2014)
in Arizona among large,
district schools as determined
by the Arizona Department of
Education. It is an “A” rated
district with a focus on creating
college- and career-ready
graduates. A few highlights of
our District:
• Higley Unified School District
awarded AP Honor Roll
distinction, 2012 & 2013.
• AdvancED Accreditation
awarded, 2013.
• Higley High School listed on
The Washington Post's
"America's Most Challenging
High Schools" list, 2014.
“Gilbert has long been
recognized for excelling in
providing educational
services. The Higley
Unified School District has
not only been a significant
contributor to that success,
but a leader in the East
Valley, as evidenced by
their grade ‘A’ rating by
the Arizona Department of
Education.”
Mayor John Lewis,
Gilbert
We're proud to have the
'A' rated Higley Unified
School District serving as
one of our primary
educational resources.”
Mayor Gail Barney,
Queen Creek
• Class of 2014 awarded $23
million in scholarships, with
students accepted to Princeton
University; UCLA; BYU Provo;
Barrett, the Honors College at
ASU; UA Honors College; NAU
Honors College; the U.S. Air
Force Academy; the University
of San Diego; Colorado
Christian University; Hofstra
University; University of
Colorado/Pueblo; and more.
• More than 2 dozen members
of the Class of 2014 signed
letters of intent to play college
and university athletics.
• Cooley Middle School
student Nila Dhinaker finished
in the Top 50 at the 2014
National Spelling Bee.
• Two Higley High students
named National AP Scholars.
• 2014 graduate Tori Anne
Day named National Merit
Scholar.
• East Valley Tribune readers
selected Higley Unified School
District as the "Best Place to
Work" in its 2014 Best of
Gilbert edition. Three Higley
schools were recognized as
the "Best Public Elementary
Schools" and Higley teachers
were named “Best Middle
School and Best Elementary
School Teachers.”
• Strong business and community partnerships.
• More than 3,500 registered
volunteers.
Get to Know Our Forward Thinking
In 2013, the district opened its
first back-to-basics school,
Higley Traditional Academy,
on the campus formerly known
as Higley Elementary and
Middle School. Two new
middle school campuses for
7th- and 8th-grade students
also opened, allowing the
district to create more robust
and rigorous learning opportunities for students,
including robotics, high-school
level math and additional
foreign language opportunities (Spanish, French &
Mandarin). The middle schools
offer a 1-to-1 iPad initiative,
allowing students to better
collaborate on projects and
teachers to better individualize learning.
This year, brought about the
district’s first language
immersion program. Coronado
Elementary School is offering
Mandarin Immersion to
students who opt-in at the
kindergarten and first-grade
level.
CONNECT, ENGAGE, INSPIRE
Page 3
Get to Know Our Governing Board
Venessa Whitener
Board President
Term: 1/1/11 to
12/31/14
• Member since 2007
• Bachelor's Degree
in Secondary Biology
Education; Master's
Degree in Educational
Leadership
• Former teacher
Kim Anderson
Board Vice President
Term: 1/1/11 to
12/31/14
• Member since 2004
• Bachelor's Degree
in History; Master's
Degree in Education
• Former teacher
Jake Hoffman
Term: 1/1/13 to
12/31/16
• Member since 2013
• Bachelor's Degree
in Exercise &
Wellness
• Community Association
Business & Marketing
Director
Kristina Reese
Term: 1/1/13 to
12/31/16
• Member since 2013
• Early childhood
education leader &
business owner
Denise Standage
Term: 1/1/13 to
12/31/16
• Member since 2005
• Bachelor's Degree
in Management; MBA
• Early childhood
education leader
Get to Know the Characteristics of Our Ideal Superintendent
Our Core Purpose:
• Connect
• Engage
• Inspire
Our Ideal Superintendent will
embrace our Core Purpose by:
• Reflecting a student-first philosophy where all decisions are
reflective of an authentic understanding of our Core Values of
Connect, Engage, Inspire
• Building collaborative relationships with employees, business
partners, parents, community
leaders, elected officials and the
Governing Board
Our Core Values:
• Positive, Can-Do
Attitude
• Student-Focused
• Accountable
• Passionate
Our Ideal Superintendent will embrace our Core
Values by:
• Being committed to our District, public education
and its role in our community and by embracing
our values, culture and traditions
• Positively leading with self-confidence and
inspiring trust, optimism, and passion for student
success while exemplifying high standards of
integrity and personal performance
• Having sound fiscal management experience
and the proven ability to work with appropriate
stakeholders on budgeting, planning and
decision-making
• Using data, taking risks and promoting differentiation to drive success and academic growth for
each and every learner
Our Strategic
Anchors:
• Student-Focused
• Forward Thinking
• Value People
Our Ideal Superintendent will embrace our Strategic Anchors by:
• Possessing a wealth of instructional expertise, including adaptability and innovation, that will guide our District to
the forefront of emerging best practice, cutting-edge programs and technology integration
• Embracing an academic vision that extends beyond state-level goals and captures the possibilities of a highgrowth and top-rated school district
• Hiring, training, mentoring, retaining and competitively compensating exceptional employees who consistently go
above and beyond and have a demonstrated strong work ethic
CONNECT, ENGAGE, INSPIRE
Page 4
If you possess the characteristics we’re looking for, we’d like
to get to know you and we invite you to apply.
Apply online at: www.husd.org/applysup
Required Documents
• District application
• 3 to 5 letters of reference
• Resume or Vita
• Transcripts
• Certificates
Questions: Sheila Sorenson
Executive Director of Human Resources
sheila.sorenson@husd.org
(480) 279.7000
Higley Unified School District
2935 S. Recker Road
Gilbert, AZ 85295
Get to Know Our Requirements
Position Requirements
• Superintendent credentials
• Arizona certification
• Strong Communication skills, including speaking, listening and
writing
• Experience as a superintendent or assistant superintendent
preferred
• Pass all background & criminal record screenings
• For more information on certification, contact the Arizona
Department of Education at www.azed.gov/educator-certification
Salary and Benefits
The salary will be negotiated and will include a comprehensive
and competitive benefits package. The final salary and benefits
will be determined based on experience, qualifications and
board criteria, and negotiation.
Get to Know Our Selection Process
Governing Board Goals
Academic Programs
HUSD will utilize relevant data to implement programs
designed to increase student achievement.
Personnel
HUSD will attract, retain, and develop qualified personnel that
share a positive visionary focus of excelling student achievement and growth.
September 24th:
October 24th:
Fall/Winter 2014:
Vacancy posted
Application deadline
• Application screening &
candidate interviews
• Finalists Interviews
•Announcement of
recommended candidate
Communication
HUSD will consistently collaborate with stakeholders forming
productive relationships that support the district vision.
Resources
HUSD will use resources efficiently and innovatively to provide
an exceptional educational environment.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ORGANIZATION: The district does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, handicap/disability,
or national origin.