Closing Date: March 14, 2012.  The Iditarod Area School District is an equal opportunity employer.


Application and Timetable

The Board of Education of the Iditarod Area School District is conducting a search for a Superintendent. Applications are sought from those with successful experience as a central office administrator.   The new superintendent is expected to be under contract July 1, 2012.  

The Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) is conducting the search. Closing date for all application material is March 14, 2012.  All applications will be acknowledged. AASB will review the qualifications of each candidate and make a report directly to the Board. The Board will review all applications and select a limited number of candidates to interview.  Interviews for finalists will be conducted in McGrath on April 9, 10, 11.


Applicants should provide AASB with a letter of interest and request for an application form. The following items must accompany all applications; a confidential placement file, academic transcripts, confidential AASB reference forms, current resume, and certificate. Candidates who do not possess an Alaska Type B Certificate with a superintendent endorsement should begin the process in order to be considered for this position.



Application Material should be sent to: 


Association of Alaska School Boards
1111 W. 9th Street
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 463-1660
Email: aasb@aasb.org

Visit the Association’s Web Site for more information about this search and school district at http://www.aasb.org



 

The School District

The District is in the middle of a three year legislative grant to develop project based curricular content units.  This instructional model will reinforce and celebrate the cultural traditions and lifestyle of the region.

Schools vary from a one teacher site to those with a faculty of twelve, serving pre-school through twelfth grades.  A teaching position is usually a combination of grades or subject areas. 

The distance learning center provides a home study program that meets state and district standards. Student academic needs are met through a flexible schedule and a variety of resources.

District Strengths

  • A long history of individualized instruction to serve each students unique needs.
  • A wide diversity of residents representing the two major river drainages of Alaska – the Kuskokwim and the Yukon.
  • The longevity and rigor of a long distance correspondence program.

The new superintendent’s priorities are: 


  • Deliver professional development that supports district curriculum and implements the project based model.
  • Assist the board in meeting their goals.
  • Support existing programs and initiatives.
  • Provide frequent board updates utilizing student achievement data.
  • Be visible, interact, and develop relationships in all widely separated and remote sites throughout the district.

 

The School Program

The district is committed to providing individualized instruction to each student based on state and locally defined standards.  Iditarod Area School District is one of only a few districts to have received a Carnegie unit waiver from the state Board of Education. This gives them freedom to be more flexible in the way they develop Personal Education Plans for students. Students are ungraded; they progress through clearly defined levels in each content area by showing proficiency in the steps that are appropriate for that level. Proficiency is measured by the use of varied assessment techniques.

The district believes in an integrated hands-on, project-based approach that delivers instruction to each child according to his or her needs and strengths. Teachers attempt to use research supported best teaching practices as they develop and implement thematic units that integrate technology, cultural traditions, and values into the more traditional curriculum areas.

District Mission Statement

The Iditarod Area School District recognizes the unique and distinctive nature and culture of each child and will work towards providing an individualized, comprehensive, sequential, and culturally-relevant educational program.

The district acknowledges the value of forming partnerships between the school and the family. The role of the parents in the education of the child is of primary importance and we welcome your active involvement in school and district programs.

 

The Region

The Iditarod Area School District is in the heart of Alaska. The Iditarod Area School District central office is located in McGrath, 225 air miles northwest of Anchorage. Approximately 1,500 people live in the area.  Of these, approximately 66% are Alaskan Natives.  A total of 372 student are served in 10 communities not connected by roads, spread over an area of about 41,500 sq. miles - slightly larger than the State of Ohio.  Travel between sites is via small, single engine aircraft.  Many of the communities are on one of the two major rivers of Alaska - the Yukon and the Kuskokwim.  The land is dominated by rivers, mountains and northern forests of birch and spruce.  Winters are typified by heavy snowfall and low temperatures, with the January average about  -20 F.  Summers are short and warm with the July average about 56 F and highs of 80 F.  Winter is excellent for dog team and snow machine travel.  With the coming of spring’s river ice breakup, summer offers ideal conditions for river journeys, hiking, camping and fishing.  Three major competitions pass through the district – the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, the Iron Dog Snow Machine Race, and the Iditarod Invitational Ultra-Sport Race.

 

Qualifications of the Candidate

The Board of Education recognizes that selecting the Superintendent is one of the most important decisions it will make. The Board is committed to a selection process that is fair and open to all qualified candidates. Priority will be given to candidates whose experience and background closely matches the following characteristics. 

Candidates must hold the following minimum qualifications:

  • Hold a Type B administrative certificate with a superintendent endorsement in the State of Alaska.
  • Have had successful experience as a central office administrator.

Background and Experience

  • Be proficient in communication.
  • Have a knowledge of school budgets and finance.
  • A demonstrated ability to develop good community relations with a diverse population.
  • Experience in personnel or human relations.

Personal Characteristics

  1. High ethical standards
  2. Team builder and team player
  3. Able to work with all members of the community 
  4. Good communicator and listener

 

Compensation

$95,000 ­ $105,000 for a 260 day contract.  The district provides excellent benefits

 

Tentative Timetable

Application deadline March 15, 2012

Identification of finalists March 22, 2012


Interviews with board April 9, 10, 11, 2012 in the district

Employment begins July 1, 2012


District Profile

 

 
 

Approved Budget

 $7,270,803
 

Local Revenue

 $75,000
 

State Aid

 $5,512,618
 

Fund Balance -

Unreserved

 $537,449
 

Reserved

$1,160,960
 

Average Expenditure per pupil

$24,420

Employees

 

 

 Administration and Support Staff

11
  Instructional Staff 23 + 18 FTE classified
  Average Teacher Salary $53, 558

Number of Students

 200 + 100 FTE correspondence

 

School District Location

School Board

Rudy Hamilton, Chair
Raymond L. Collins
Tamara Truett-Jeru
Nell Huffman
Gabe Nicholi
Robert Walker
Michael Bye