Position Details
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District: Yosemite Unified School District
Position/Title: Superintendent
Salary: Competitive and negotiable
Closing Date: Monday, March 20, 2017

The Position

The Board of Trustees of the Yosemite Unified School District is seeking a superintendent with strong district and community leadership skills who is committed to academic excellence for all students. The ideal candidate will be someone who is an excellent leader with exceptional communication skills. The superintendent must be someone with experience in all areas of district and school administration, including instruction, personnel, finance, budget and Special Education.

The Community & District History

The Yosemite Unified School District is located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills near the world famous destinations of Bass Lake, the Sierra National Forest, Devil’s Postpile National Monument, Nelder Grove of Giant Sequoias and Yosemite National Park.

The District is just 45 minutes from Fresno, a major metropolitan area. The towns of Oakhurst and Coarsegold are affordable communities with a small town feeling that draws people and families to want to live there. This area is advertised as above the fog line and below the snow line, it has four distinct seasons and draws visitors from all over the world.

Yosemite Unified School District serves 1,666 K-12 students. The District is composed of two elementary schools; Coarsegold Elementary (K-8) and Rivergold Elementary (K-8), Yosemite High School, two Community Day Schools; Meadowbrook (5-8) and Campbell (9-12) as well as, three additional educational sites. The ethnic make-up of the District’s population is: 15% Hispanic, 2.8% Native American, 1% African American, 73% White and 8% Other. Approximately 48.7% of the students are eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

YUSD has very active Parent Organizations whose members volunteer and raise significant funds for school programs and activities. In 2015-2016, these groups raised support for college bound graduating seniors totaling nearly $110,000.

With a yearly budget which is approximately $18,000,000, YUSD provides exemplary programs for its students. The committed teachers and staff offer unique opportunities and educational support that are extremely impressive.

Selection Criteria

The following criteria represent standards which will be used in the evaluation of the applications and in the selection of the superintendent.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND PREPARATION

  • Master’s degree and administrative credential required
  • Superintendent experience desired
  • Some district level experience required
  • Principal experience required
  • Teaching experience required

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • Has integrity; is honest, fair and trustworthy
  • Is accessible and easily approachable; has an open door policy
  • Is a people person with strong public and human relation skills and a sense of humor
  • Is a decisive leader who can make sound and tough decisions in the best interest of students, holds firm and follows through
  • Has excellent communication and listening skills; relates to people at all levels
  • Is highly visible and active in the community, schools, worksites; is committed to becoming part of the rural community the school district serves
  • Possesses the ability to assign responsibility, delegate authority; insist on personal and staff accountability; and recognizes exceptional performance
  • Has a high level of energy, enthusiasm and motivation; has a strong work ethic and professional demeanor
  • Is a creative and innovative leader who has the courage to deal with difficult issues and remain focused and positive in stressful situations
  • Is committed to team work with the district office staff and school sites

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Has demonstrated the ability to manage the district’s finances, facilities and resources in a responsible manner as well as the ability to seek and find new funding sources
  • Has knowledge and expertise in Educational Options
  • Demonstrates an understanding of collective bargaining and the ability to create a positive climate in employer/ employee relations
  • Can successfully pursue and develop close working relationships with public agencies in joint projects and community partnerships to provide additional resources and programs to the school district
  • Has a working knowledge of LCFF and LCAP development
  • Understands and supports a balanced curriculum with an interest in maintaining and developing high quality CTE, as well as the visual and performing arts
  • Has excellent knowledge of 9-12 & K-8 curriculum and understands current education theory, instructional techniques, curricular expectations as well as laws and regulations at the State and Federal levels
  • Has the ability to work effectively with the Board and to provide the Board with relevant, timely and accurate information, alternatives and recommendations that allow them to make
  • informed decisions in a timely manner
  • Has a commitment to academic excellence and a clear vision for education that maintains a focus on improving student performance
  • Can successfully assess the current programs; preserve and protect what is working well, create new programs and market the Yosemite Unified School District to the surrounding area.


Application Procedures

Each applicant is requested to follow the procedures listed. All applications will be held strictly confidential. Those applicants wishing additional information should contact the Board Advisor-Mike Crass, 209-761-2839 Applications must be submitted online to:

DLAssoc.com
Yosemite Unified School District
c/o Mike Crass, Advisor
Dave Long and Associates, Executive Search Services

All applicants must provide the following items by the closing date of Monday, March 20, 2017 (5:00 p.m.), to be considered:
  • A completed Application Information Form. (Please complete as instructed; do not complete by stating "see attached resume".) The Application Information Form and brochure may be downloaded via Dave Long & Associates web page at DLAssoc.com.
  • A personal letter of interest for the position
  • A resume providing biographical 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

Selection Procedure

A professional screening committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant. The Board and the screening committee will use the described criteria during the screening, interviewing and final decision making process. After receiving the report of the committee, the Board will select and interview the top candidates. The Board will then select and invite candidates for the final interviews, conduct the interviews and select the Superintendent. Any applicant who contacts a Board member will be disqualified. Travel expenses for those candidates selected for the initial interview will be the responsibility of the candidate.


Salary and Contract Terms

Competitive and negotiable


Board of Education

Term Expires
Christine Wilder, President
2020
Tammy Loveland, Clerk
2020
Joe Smith
2020
Monika Moulin
2018
John Reynolds
2018


Applications Close

Monday, March 20, 2017 (5:00 p.m.)

Interview tentatively scheduled for April 21 and 22, 2017