BLUE RIDGE Unified School District #32

BLUE RIDGE
Unified School District #32
Mission Statement
The Blue Ridge Unified School District will deliver a rigorous
comprehensive curriculum, provided by highly qualified personnel,
which addresses the challenges of a changing world and which
incorporates fiscal responsibility.
Vision Statement
We are active citizens committed to learning, innovation, and
stewardship of the world.
Invites
© 2014 Aylstock Consulting, LLC
Qualified Candidates
for
Superintendent
A Tradition of Excellence
SCHOOL/DISTRICT PROFILE
The Blue Ridge Unified School District has a very strong tradition of excellence and is
well respected throughout Arizona. The district has enjoyed great stability in the
Governing Board and at the superintendent’s position with the past four superintendents
averaging nine years in the position. The district serves 2,100 students in four schools in
beautiful Pinetop-Lakeside. The district recently built a Grade 4-8 complex on land
acquired from the federal government for $10 per acre via the Education Land Grant Act.
All schools in the school district have a history of high achievement in the classroom as
well as in extra and co-curricular activities. The district and all four schools received a “B”
letter grade from the Arizona Department of Education for the 2013-14 school year.
The two primary schools use Character Counts for character education. Students are
challenged beyond the classroom with activities such as Odyssey of the Mind, Spelling
Bee, 4-H Mentoring Program, and Junior Leadership Academy.
At the Blue Ridge Jr. High School, a strong academic program is complimented by several
co-curricular programs. Students can participate in programs such as Math Counts, Chess
Club, Spanish Club, and Science Club. There is also an strong athletic program that
involves many students.
Blue Ridge High School enjoys a strong reputation both inside and outside the classroom.
Blue Ridge graduates annually earn over $6 million in scholarships toward post-secondary
education. Each year the high school has graduating seniors who are named Gates
Millennium Scholars, Flynn Scholars, and U.S. Military Academy nominees. Blue Ridge
students have the opportunity to enroll in Career and Technical Education classes through
NAVIT. Examples of the sixteen programs available are Nursing Assistant, Welding, Fire
Science, Child Development, and Cosmetology.
The success of Blue Ridge students in co-curricular and extra-curricular programs is well
documented. The Yellow Jackets annually celebrate regional and state championships in
numerous fields of endeavor. A Tradition of Excellence is demonstrated in all areas.
http://www.brusd.k12.az.us/
COMMUNITY PROFILE
The community of Pinetop-Lakeside is
administered by a town manager and
governed by a mayor and six town council
members and is served by local police and
county sheriff departments. Area fire
departments have full-time and volunteer
personnel.
The economy of Pinetop-Lakeside is
heavily oriented towards trade and
services for tourists and recreation seekers
as well as residents. A winter sports
complex, Sunrise Ski Resort, located
thirty miles east of Pinetop-Lakeside on
the White Mountain Apache Indian
Reservation attracts skiers worldwide with
its well-developed slopes and facilities.
Pinetop-Lakeside provides much of the
lodging, and local businesses benefit from
this market. Summer visitors are attracted
by the cool mountain weather, the
beautiful scenery created by the largest
stand of Ponderosa Pine trees in the world,
and miles of connected hiking and biking
trails.
District Staffing Information
Administrators
Certified Teachers
Certified Counselors
Classified Support Staff
Total Staff
15
120
4
113
252
District Budget Information
Regular Education
Special Education
Transportation
Proposition 301 Funding
Total M & O
$ 9,044,635
$ 1,993,512
$ 839,473
$ 840,243
$ 12,717,863
State & Federal Grants
$ 1,337,694
Unrestricted Capital
$
Outstanding Bonds
$ 22,600,000
Primary Tax Rate
Secondary Tax Rate
www.pinetoplakesidechamber.com/
www.pinetoplakesideaz.gov/
454,865
$ 3.5860
$ 1.4028
SUPERINTENDENT PROFILE:
The Blue Ridge Unified School District has enjoyed great stability in the superintendent’s
position with the last four superintendents serving in the position an average of nine years.
In searching for a new superintendent, the goal of the Governing Board is to hire a
superintendent who will continue that stability as well as lead the district to higher levels of
student achievement in collaboration with students, staff, parents, and the community. The
Board is seeking a superintendent who enthusiastically demonstrates leadership and fosters
a positive relationship between the community and the school district. This individual shall
model a pursuit of excellence for the students and the overall district operations. The
qualifications for the new superintendent are as follows:
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
 Possesses, qualifies for, or provides evidence of working toward an Arizona
Superintendent Certificate
 Minimum of three years successful teaching and five years successful
administrative experience
 Holds an advanced degree from an accredited college or university
 Knowledge of the Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards and their
application to the curriculum
 Knowledge of school finance at both district and school site levels
 Experience and knowledge in management of all school district operations
-Transportation, facilities management, food service, technology, etc.
 District-level administrative experience preferred
EXPERTISE AND APTITUDES:
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Prefers experience working in a rural and economically diverse district
Verified success in implementing programs that improve student achievement
Has demonstrated skill in supervising employees at all levels
Demonstrates strong written and spoken communication skills
Practices active listening in an effort to gain stakeholder input
Knowledge of appropriate personnel procedures and practices
Has experience in a school or district where student achievement has been
increasing
Knowledge of current education policy and political climate
Experience motivating staff and students, improving morale, and generating
enthusiasm
Includes staff, stakeholders, and students as appropriate in the development of
recommendations
Provides well researched, data driven recommendations to the Governing Board
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
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Committed to be a part of the community and community groups
Practices high standard of personal and professional ethics
Effective in time management and organization of professional/personal lives
Practices an Open Door Policy for students, staff, parents, and community
Demonstrates a desire to collaborate with staff in decision-making
Regularly attends and supports student activities
Child-centered advocate who motivates others in organization to improve
outcomes for all students
 Models effective means of communication
 Exerts leadership in encouraging community and parental participation and
involvement in school
 Places a high priority on follow-thru of direction and projects
Blue Ridge Unified School District No. 32 is an Equal Opportunity Employer, complies
with Title IX, and shall seek the best-qualified applicants for all vacant positions
regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, disability, or national origin.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND PROCEDURE
The Blue Ridge Unified School District #32 has engaged the services of Aylstock
Consulting, LLC to direct a search for qualified candidates. Each finalist chosen will visit
the school district at his/her expense be interviewed by the Governing Board. To receive
consideration, an applicant’s materials must be completed and received by the school
district by Friday, November 7, 2014 and shall contain:
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Letter of application
Completed application
Responses to narrative questions
Current resume or professional vita
-Released for public inspection if chosen as a finalist
Copies of college/university transcripts
-Official transcripts required of successful candidate
Copy of current Arizona Superintendent Certificate
-Or written evidence of eligibility or proof of working toward certificate.
Copy of current Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card
Three current letters of reference
Required signature pages
Applicants should not contact members of the Governing Board directly. All application
materials shall be addressed and sent/delivered to:
Mike Aylstock, Blue Ridge Superintendent Search
Blue Ridge Unified School District #32
1600 W. White Mountain Blvd.
Lakeside, AZ 85929
Applicant Questions to Mike Aylstock:
Phone:
928-202-2124
Fax:
928-368-5570
Email:
mike.aylstock@gmail.com
Superintendent Search Timeline:
COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
The Blue Ridge Unified School District
Governing Board will offer a multi-year
contract to the successful candidate with
a salary range of $90-95 K depending on
education and experience with a
generous benefit package.
October 13, 2014
Vacancy Announcement
November 7, 2014
Applications Deadline
November 17, 2014
Finalists Announced
December 1-2, 2014
Finalists Interviews
December 10, 2014
Announcement of
Successful Candidate
July 1, 2015
-or as agreed upon
New Superintendent
Assumes Duties
Governing Board Members
Name
Title
Mr. Bill Lasonder
President
Mr. George Turner Vice-President
Ms. Margaret Gabe
Member
Ms. Cherilyn Halls
Member
Dr. Jennifer Brimhall
Member
Term Expires
2016
2014
2014
2016
2016
All applications and materials will be accorded confidential treatment. This is to advise all
applicants that the Access to Public Records Law and associated case law in the State of Arizona
require the disclosure of applicant names and information at a point in the selection process as
determined by the local Governing Board. An attempt will be made to notify all applicants as to any
release of such information. The Governing Board shall make all final decisions concerning the
selection and evaluation of the candidates.