ANNETTE ISLANDS
SCHOOL DISTRICT
INVITES QUALIFIED APPLICANTS
FOR
SUPERINTENDENT
AISD Staff at a Potluck Breakfast
ANNETTE ISLANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT
MISSON STATEMENT:
Community, parents, faculty and staff are continually working together to provide excellent learning opportunities for all students to become self-sufficient and successful in life while embracing and honoring the community and all heritages.
Further, it is the position of the Annette Islands School District Board of Education that students have the following responsibilities:
- To be present and actively engaged during all regularly scheduled classes
- To refrain from any practices which result in a disruption of the learning process
- To relate to others in a manner which is characterized by courtesy, respect for the property and person of others and self-respect
- To follow the prescribed rules, regulations, guidelines, and policies of the district
- To approach their involvement in the school with an attitude and spirit of cooperation.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND PROCEDURE
The Annette Islands School District Governing Board is in a search for qualified candidates. Each finalist chosen will visit the district at his/her expense to be interviewed by the Governing Board. Governing Board members may visit the communities of selected candidates as part of the final selection process.
Applicants are asked to refrain from making personal contact with Governing
Board members and the District unless requested to do so. All applicants
must submit legal proof of an Alaska Superintendent Certificate or
written documentation of the ability to obtain same. To receive
consideration, an applicant’s file must be complete and must contain:
Narrative Reponses:
- A minimum of five recent letters of recommendation [three of which may be included in a university placement file]
- A current professional resume
- Transcripts and credentials verification materials [requested by applicant] from colleges or universities
- A copy of [or written evidence of eligibility to receive] current Alaska Superintendent certification.
Out-of-state applicants and others without proof of certification are responsible to contacting: Alaska Teacher Certification, P. O. Box 110500, 801 West 10th St., Suite 210, Juneau, Alaska 99811-0500 907/465-2831, to determine eligibility for Alaska Superintendent Certificate.
All nominations, letters of application, inquiries, credentials, copies of legal proof of certification and other information should be sent to:
Attn: Lucione Leisholmn, Superintendent’s Secretary
Annette Islands School District
P. O. Box 7
Metlakatla, Alaska 99926
Telephone: (907) 886-6332
Fax: (907) 886-5130
Email: lleisholmn@aisd.k12.ak.us
All applications will be acknowledges and all materials will be accorded
confidential treatment. This is to advise you, however, that the Access to
Public Records Law and associated case law in the State of Alaska require
the disclosure of applicant names and information at a point in the selection
process as determined by the local Governing Board. We will attempt to
notify all applicants as to any release of such information. All final decisions
concerning the selection and evaluation of the candidates will be made by
the Governing Board.
The Position
The governing board of the Annette Islands School District is seeking as its next superintendent an experienced visionary leader with an outstanding record in leading a district to create and sustain excellence in budget and finance, restoring public confidence, and excelling in student achievement. The Board is seeking a leader who places students at the top of the inverted pyramid model and develops supportive systems to enable ultimate school and student success.
The District
The Community of Metlakatla supports a public school system, which is constituted by Alaska Statute. The school system provides a public education for all school-age residents on Annette Island. The school district name, Annette Islands School District, is derived from the island, As of October 23, 2007, 288 students grades K-12 in the district. Approximately 98% of the students are Alaska Native. Eighty-five percent of students qualify for free or reduced-priced nutrition program.
The Annette Islands School District is governed by a five-member Board of Education elected by all residents on the island. These members are elected at large for three-year terms and function in accordance with Alaska Department of Education regulations and with a comprehensive Board of Education Policy.
The district offers a wide variety of service and activity clubs, plus interscholastic sports and competitive opportunities.
Number of Schools
Elementary School. K-6 [1]; Middle School, 7-8 [1]; High School, 9-12 [1]; Alternative High School
Program, 9-12 [1]
Staffing
The Board of Education employs a Superintendent of Schools, A K-6 Elementary Principal, and a 7-12 Secondary Principal, Special Education Director and Maintenance Director. The teaching staff consists of thirty two (32) certified teachers licensed to perform teaching duties in the State of Alaska. They are supported by approximately twenty-seven (27) classified staff members who perform a variety of business management, secretarial, custodial, maintenance and paraprofessional duties.
Average Class Size
18 students per certified staff
Critical Financial Information
Total M & O Expenditures Budget: $5,500,000
The Community
Metlakatla Indian Community home of the Annette Islands School District is located on the west coast of the Annette Islands in southeast Alaska and is accessible by Ferry or sea plane. Located 720 miles northwest of Seattle Washington and 300 miles south of Juneau. Metlakatla Indian Community is the only Indian Reserve in Alaska. With a population of approximately 1400 on 130.2 sq. miles of land and 83.8 sq miles of water, you will find plenty of undeveloped wilderness to explore and an abundance of beaches to comb.
Throughout the community you will find beautifully landscaped public areas, boardwalk hiking trails and picnic areas. An Artist Village provides access to many of the local artists where they can demonstrate their craft and sell their artwork. The Wellness Center provides an Olympic size swim pool, fitness room and a variety of programs promoting health and fitness for all residents of the community.
A current economic growth project of Metlakatla is the Walden Point Road, a 14.7 mile road, connecting Metlakatla to the north end of Annette Island where access to Ketchikan will be through a short ferry ride to Saxman. The Metlakatla Indian Community owns and operates Annette Island Packing Cold Storage, Metlakatla Bottled Water Plant and MIC Bingo.
Challenges – Critical Issues to Be Addressed
- Attracting and retaining high quality administrators and instructional staff.
- Working with all district and community stakeholders to develop a new direction for the district, including a new strategic plan.
- Continuing to improve student achievement. Creating an accurate system to determine success rate of all students, including follow-up studies following graduation.
Professional Experience and Preparation
- Administrative experience, including experience as a superintendent or deputy superintendent.
- The successful candidate must be able to qualify for appropriate Alaska Superintendent Certification described by Alaska Statute.
- Certified educator with teaching and building level administrative experience
- Proven experience in working with all stakeholders of the district to create and sustain “new directions” for the district leading to academic excellence and operational excellence.
- Results [developmental and cumulative] oriented leader with proven experience leading a district to meet all accountability standards at the local, state and national level.
Personal Characteristics
- Possession of basic character/work attributes and traits [empathy, fairness, integrity, honestly professionalism, perseverance, dedication, courage, etc.]
- Inspires trust, has high levels of self-confidence and optimism, and models high standards of integrity and personal performance.
- Is trustworthy and demonstrates personal integrity and transparency in dealing with district staff and community stakeholders.
- Demonstrates excellent “people” skills and is appropriately accessible to staff, parents, community members and the media.
- Has a strong sense of personal accountability for the success of the district’s students.
Professional Qualities and Characteristics
- Personal Leadership: Ability to attract and retain the best employees for respective positions, as well as being able to reassign or dismiss people that are organizational “mismatches.”
- Building Trust: Creates and sustains a leadership environment of trust, and honors the work done by the district staff to increase student achievement.
- Working Relationships: Ability to encourage and inspire leadership and collaborative working relationships at all levels of the organization, and delegate tasks as well as define roles appropriately.
- Financial Stability: Ability to identify and analyze the key financial indicators needed to provide sound fiscal management and the efficient and effective use of district resources.
- Decision-Making: Provides collaborative yet decisive leadership after seeking input from individuals who may be impacted by a decision. Ultimately makes each decision based on what is in the best interest of the students of the district.
Governing Board
The Annette Islands School District is governed by a five-member Board of Education elected by all residents on the island. These members are elected at large for three-year terms and function in accordance with Alaska Department of Education regulations and with a comprehensive Board of Education Policy.
School Board Member Term ends:
Charles Wilson, President 10/10
Jamie Chinuhuk, Vice President 10/10
Jody Leisholmn, Secretary 10/09
Sherri Hayward, Treasurer 10/08
Melody Leask, Member 10/09
Describe your management and leadership style and why it is effective.
Describe how you structure communication and how you interact with the following stakeholders:
- retirement community, and
e. military community.
Describe your ability to effectively manage academic and financial accountability while meeting complex state and federal mandates.
List five strengths you bring to the position of Superintendent and explain these strengths in relationship to the job.
What has been the most difficult ethical decision you have made in your role as an educator or administrator? After you chose a course of action did you have any regrets?
Selection Procedure
A screening committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant. After receiving and studying the report of the screening committee, the board will select and interview the top candidates.
Finalists will be actively involved with interviews, district tours, community forums, panels and board interviews. 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.
Salary and Contract Terms
The Annette Islands School District will offer a salary range between $96,000 and $103,000.00 per year based on the individuals experience and qualifications as well as a benefits package.
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.
CONSENT TO CONDUCT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND RELEASE
Read this section carefully and sign in the presence of the witness who also shall sign below.
I, _______________________________________________________[applicant’s name], have applied for employment with the Annette Islands School District to work as a Superintendent of Schools. I understand that in order for the District to determine my eligibility, qualifications, and suitability for employment, the District will conduct a background investigation if I am considered for an offer of employment. This investigation may include asking my current and any former employer and educational institution I have attended and other individuals about my education, training, experience, qualifications, job performance, professional conduct and evaluations, as well as confirming my dates of employment or enrollment, positions(s) held, reason(s) for leaving employment, whether I could be rehired, reasons for not rehiring (if applicable) and similar information.
I hereby give my consent for any employer or educational institution to release any information requested in connection with this background investigation.
According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, I understand that I have a right to see most education records that are maintained by any educational institution.
I waive_________/do not waive__________ (initial only one) my right to see any written reference or other information provided to the District by any educational institution.
According to Alaska Statutes, any employer that provides a written communication to the District regarding my current or past employment must send me a copy at my last known address. I acknowledge that some employers are unwilling to provide factual written references concerning a current or past employee unless they may do so confidentiality, without revealing the references to the employee, and that the District will not further consider my application if it cannot complete its background investigation.
I waive_________/do not waive__________ (initial only one) my right to receive a copy of any written communication furnished to the District by any employer.
Whether or not I have waived my right to see or to receive copies of written references furnished to the District by employers or educational institutions, I release, hold harmless and agree not to sue or file any claim of any kind against any current or former employer or educational institution, and any officer or employee of either, that in good faith furnishes written or oral references requested by the District to complete its background investigation.
A photocopy or facsimile (“fax”) copy of this form that shows my signature will be as valid as an original.
DATED this _______ day of ________________________________________, 2008.
___________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Applicant Signature Witness Signature
___________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Type or Print Full Name Type or Print Full Name
________________________________________________
Position or Title
|
