Higley School District Our Accomplishments Our Forward Thinking Our Governing Board Our Ideal Superintendent Characteristics Our Contact Information Our Requirements Our Selection Process Get to Know Our Story Higley Unified School District is an 11,500- student 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. Gilbert’s reputation as a family-friend commu- nity 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. 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 develop- ing 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. Enrollment: 11,500 Elementary schools: 8, including 1 traditional academy and 1 Mandarin Immersion Magnet Middle schools: 2 Preschools: 2 High schools: 2 AP courses: 17 Dual enrollment courses: 23 Varsity athletics: 20 Student Ethnicity African American - 4.36% Multi-ethnic - 3.35% American Indian/ Alaskan - .90 % Asian - 4.43% Hispanic - 19.63% Employee Count Support Staff - 483 Certified Staff - 623 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 Schools Higley Unified School District
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Higley School District
Our Accomplishments
Our Forward Thinking
Our Governing Board
Our IdealSuperintendentCharacteristics
Our ContactInformation
Our Requirements
Our Selection Process
Get to Know Our Story
Higley Unified School District is an 11,500-student 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.
Gilbert’s reputation as a family-friend commu-nity 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.
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 develop-ing 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.
Enrollment: 11,500
Elementary schools: 8, including 1 traditional academy and 1 Mandarin Immersion Magnet
Middle schools: 2
Preschools: 2
High schools: 2
AP courses: 17
Dual enrollment courses: 23
Varsity athletics: 20
Student Ethnicity
African American - 4.36%
Multi-ethnic - 3.35%
American Indian/Alaskan - .90 %
Asian - 4.43%
Hispanic - 19.63%
Employee Count
Support Staff - 483
Certified Staff - 623
Superintendent SearchGet to know our…
Business Definition:To provide and support education for all learners
Core Purpose:Connect. Engage. Inspire.
Core Values:Positive, can-do attitudeStudent focusedAccountablePassionate about what we do
Strategic Anchors:Student focusedForward thinkingValue people
Get to Know Our Schools
Higley Unified School District
Get to Know Our Accomplishments
• 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 commu-nity partnerships. • More than 3,500 registered volunteers.
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 creatingcollege- 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.
• 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.
Get to Know Our Forward Thinking
including robotics, high-school level math and additional foreign language opportuni-ties (Spanish, French & Mandarin). The middle schools offer a 1-to-1 iPad initiative, allowing students to better collaborate on projects and teachers to better individual-ize 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.
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 opportu-nities for students,
CONNECT, ENGAGE, INSPIREPage 2
“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
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 philoso-phy where all decisions are reflective of an authentic under-standing of our Core Values of Connect, Engage, Inspire • Building collaborative relation-ships with employees, business partners, parents, community leaders, elected officials and the Governing Board
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 differen-tiation to drive success and academic growth for each and every learner
CONNECT, ENGAGE, INSPIRE Page 3
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 high-growth 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
Get to Know Our Governing Board
Venessa Whitener Board PresidentTerm: 1/1/11 to12/31/14• Member since 2007• Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Biology Education; Master's Degree in Educational Leadership • Former teacher
Kim AndersonBoard 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 HoffmanTerm: 1/1/13 to 12/31/16• Member since 2013 • Bachelor's Degree in Exercise & Wellness • Community Association Business & MarketingDirector
Kristina ReeseTerm: 1/1/13 to 12/31/16• Member since 2013 • Early childhood education leader & business owner
Denise StandageTerm: 1/1/13 to 12/31/16• Member since 2005• Bachelor's Degree in Management; MBA • Early childhoodeducation leader
Get to Know Our Requirements
Position Requirements
Salary and BenefitsThe 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.
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
Questions: Sheila SorensonExecutive Director of Human [email protected](480) 279.7000
Higley Unified School District2935 S. Recker RoadGilbert, AZ 85295
CONNECT, ENGAGE, INSPIREPage 4
Get to Know Our Selection Process
September 24th:
October 24th:
Fall/Winter 2014:
Vacancy posted
Application deadline
• Application screening & candidate interviews
• Finalists Interviews
•Announcement of recommended candidate
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.
Governing Board Goals
• 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
Academic ProgramsHUSD will utilize relevant data to implement programs designed to increase student achievement. PersonnelHUSD will attract, retain, and develop qualified personnel that share a positive visionary focus of excelling student achieve-ment and growth. CommunicationHUSD will consistently collaborate with stakeholders forming productive relationships that support the district vision. ResourcesHUSD will use resources efficiently and innovatively to provide an exceptional educational environment.
Required Documents• District application• 3 to 5 letters of reference• Resume or Vita• Transcripts• Certificates
