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:            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:        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: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 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: [email protected] 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.