Position Title: Superintendent

Salary: Competitive and negotiable

Closing Date: August 8, 2008

Downloads:

• Job Application
• Job Brochure

The Position

The Board of Trustees of the Kerman Unified School District invites qualified, successful leaders to apply for the position of district superintendent.

The ideal candidate will be someone who is a strong leader with excellent communications and interpersonal skills.

The superintendent must be a “generalist” with experience in instruction, finance, budget, personnel, special education facilities and construction issues.

The successful candidate will also be someone committed to becoming part of the Kerman community and schools.

The Community

The city of Kerman is located at the central valley crossroads of State Route 145 and Hwy 180, deep in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Originally a small farming town, Kerman has experienced phenomenal growth over the past several years. The 2000 Census reported Kerman’s growth increased by 59 percent in the 1990s. Kerman is one of the fastest growing cities in West Fresno County and is the business and commercial center for the county.

Despite its recent growth, Kerman remains true to its agricultural roots and local history. Kerman still maintains its small town personality. Citizens and visitors enjoy Kerman’s small town flavor and community activities. The Harvest Festival brings the community together each September to celebrate the bountiful harvest and end of the hot valley summer. Other community events include the holiday “pageantry of lights” parade, and the July 3 festival of the American spirit fireworks show.

With a population of 13,591, Kerman residents note its friendly people and inviting neighborhoods as to why they live in Kerman. Residents enjoy 44 acres of park space, and most neighborhoods have a community park within walking distance. The Kerman community has a legacy of taking pride in its hometown and caring for those in need. Local business employees can be seen wearing red shirts on game days in support of the Kerman High School Lions. Local churches, non-profit organizations and the government get together each holiday season to provide food for over 200 families and toys for over 1,000 children.

The award-winning Kerman Unified School District continues to be one of the strongest small school districts in the central valley. Dedicated and competent staff lead the way in providing quality education for Kerman’s youth. In August 2007, KUSD opened new multi-purpose facilities at Kerman High School and Kerman Middle School, and plans to build a new elementary school with money from the Measure K Bond passed in June 2008.

Kerman hosts a predominantly agriculturally based economy, and is currently promoting diversified business growth through the development of industrial and commercial properties. Kerman has recently experienced a number of business expansion projects, which have brought additional tax revenues and jobs into the city. The city approved an updated a general plan in the beginning of 2007, and will begin working with Fresno County and Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission to expand its sphere of influence.

The District

The Kerman Unified School District is located seventeen miles southwest of Fresno in the city of Kerman. The district is situated near the middle of Fresno County in the heart of the agricultural region. Kerman Unified is a district of 4,214 students with six campuses: Kerman Floyd Elementary (Preschool–4); Sun Empire Elementary (K–4); Liberty Intermediate (5–6); Kerman Middle School (7–8); Kerman High School (9–12); and Alternative Education programs including Nova High, Kerman Community Day School and Kerman Adult School.

The district serves approximately 4,214 students at six different sites. The student population includes 80 percent Hispanic, 13 percent Caucasian, 5 percent Punjabi and 2 percent other.

Kerman Unified schools have long been noted for the many excellent academic, and career and technical education programs and the wide variety of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. Students perform well on the state testing program. The district has an overall API score of 733 for the 2006–2007 school year. Kerman Floyd Elementary School has been recognized both as a California Distinguished School and California High Achieving Title I School. Standard and Poor recognized Kerman Unified as an outperformating district when comparing all students’ STAR test results to those of their socio economic disadvantaged students. Shining Star School recognition was designated for Kerman Floyd Elementary and Sun Empire Elementary. Liberty Intermediate School has an API score of 795. Strong student achievement is directly attributable to the excellent teaching and support staff at each site, who have set high expectations for students’ achievement.

Kerman Unified has excellent community support. The community approved an $11 million school bond in 2004 and a $24 million school bond in 2008.

The district has a General Fund budget of $33,631,376 and is served by 234 certificated and 228 classified employees.

Beliefs (Core Values)

We believe that …

• Safe and positive learning and working environments are essential.
• By working together we can prepare our students and staff for productive and honorable futures.
• Improving student performance and building character is our shared responsibility with parents and community.
• Continuous improvement throughout the system is imperative.
• Our diversity enhances our education.
• Each individual can improve.

Mission

 Kerman Unified School District will provide the best instruction and opportunities to improve academics, learn leadership and develop character for all students.

Vision

 As a result of receiving best instructional practices, all Kerman Unified School District students will demonstrate character, academic improvement and responsibility for themselves and their community. Staff and parents will work together to provide a climate that empowers everyone to maximize learning.

For more information, please visit the district’s Web site at www.kermanusd.k12.ca.us.

Selection Criteria

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

Professional Experience and Preparation

• Master’s degree and administrative credential required
• Classroom teaching experience required
• Principal or other school site administration experience required
• Assistant superintendent or other district level experience required
• Superintendent experience desirable

Personal Characteristics

• Has high integrity and is honest, fair and trustworthy
• Is accessible and easily approachable and has an “open door” policy
• Is a “people person” with strong public and human relations skills and a sense of humor
• Is a decisive leader who makes sound, difficult decisions and takes responsibility for those decisions
• Has excellent communications and listening skills and relates to people at all levels
• Is highly visible and active in the community, schools and worksites and is committed to becoming part of the Kerman community
• Is an enthusiastic and energetic team builder who recognizes and respects the abilities and contributions of all district staff
• Has a high level of energy, enthusiasm and motivation, with a strong work ethic and highly professional demeanor

Professional Skills and Abilities

• Has a commitment to academic excellence and a clear vision for education that maintains a focus on improving student performance
• Has the ability to work effectively with the board and provide the board with relevant, timely and accurate information, alternatives and recommendations to make informed decisions in a timely manner
• Understands and supports a balanced curriculum, with interest in maintaining high-quality vocational education, music, art and drama programs
• Has demonstrated 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 special education laws, regulations and programs
• Has excellent knowledge of K–12 curriculum and understands current education theory, instructional techniques, curricular expectations and laws and regulations at the state and federal levels
• Has the ability to create a district climate of cooperation and collaboration
• Demonstrates an understanding of collective bargaining and the ability to create a positive climate in employer/employee relations
• Has expertise in the area of facilities and construction
• Successfully pursues and develops close working relationships with public agencies in joint projects and community partnerships to provide additional resources and programs to the school district

Application Procedure

All applications will be held strictly confidential. Each applicant is requested to follow the procedures listed below. Those applicants wishing additional information should contact the CSBA adviser at (916) 669-3297. For duplication purposes, please do not bind application materials.

Applications are to be sent to:
Kerman Unified School District
c/o Dr. Wendell Chun, Consultant
California School Boards Association
Executive Search Services
3100 Beacon Blvd., Suite Kerman
West Sacramento, CA 95691

All applicants must provide the following items by the closing date, August 8, 2008 (5:00 p.m.), to be considered:

• A completed Application Information Form. (Please complete as instructed; do not complete by stating “see attached résumé”.) The Application Information Form and brochure may be downloaded via CSBA’s Web page at www.csba.org/es.aspx
• A personal letter of application stating reasons for interest in the Kerman Unified School District superintendent position
• A résumé providing biographical background information about educational preparation, experience and achievementsA placement file and/or five (5) current letters of professional references describing the applicant’s performance in previously held positions

It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange to have placement papers or reference letters forwarded in time to meet the August 8, 2008 (5:00 p.m.) deadline. Additional brochures may be requested by calling the CSBA 24-hour Brochure Request Line at (916) 669-3296.

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 and studying the report of the screening committee, the board will select and interview the top candidates.

Both the board and the Superintendent Search Advisory Committee, consisting of staff and community members, will interview the selected candidates. After the interviews, the SSAC will report to the board the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the candidates.

The board will select candidates for the final interviews, conduct the interviews and select the superintendent. Any applicant who contacts a board member with the intent of influencing the board’s decision will be disqualified.

Travel expenses for those candidates selected for the initial interview will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for September 4, 5 and 6, 2008.

Salary and Contract Terms

The Kerman Unified School District Board of Trustees will offer a competitive and negotiable salary, plus fringe benefits to the successful candidate, based on that individual’s experience and qualifications. The board intends to offer a multi-year contract.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide the district with employment eligibility and verification of citizenship in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Board of Education