Walnut Valley Unified conducting its own search for superintendent
Author: Maritza Velazquez , Staff Writer
The school district, which has schools in Walnut and Diamond Bar, is conducting its own search to save money, Interim Superintendent Charles McCully said.
It conducted the last of about dozen meetings last week when administrators met with the district's Personnel Commission, he said.
"They all want the same thing," McCully said. They want a leader, someone resourceful who has a vision and plan, who's knowledgeable in curriculum and instruction and finance and knows what it takes to take a good district and make it better."
Board members fired former Superintendent Cyndy Simms right before the start of the 2010-11 school year, citing that they wanted a change in direction.
The move came just six months after renewing her contract, costing Walnut Valley Unified nearly $300,000. The district had hired Simms in October 2007 after former Superintendent Kent Bechler accepted a position in Corona-Norco Unified School District.
The search for a new superintendent will be $5,000, the cost of employing a consultant, according to board member Nancy Lyons.
"We're really happy that we're doing it as low cost as possible," Lyons said.
The cost of employing a search firm would run between $25,000 and $35,000, McCully said.
A recent meeting held was comprised of just a few parents and community members.
They said they were interested in preserving AP classes, having a superintendent who relate to parents and their community, preserve Advanced Placement (AP) classes and continues to bring the district forward.
"Yes, the superintendent needs to be concerned about the financial aspects, but curriculum is important for the kids. Their education should be number one. He or she needs to look at ways to fund or keep programs going," said Roy Takemura, who sits on the board for the Walnut Valley Unified Finance Corporation.
Officials hope to present the board with between three and five candidates early next month.
Board members will interview the candidates before they make their selection in January.
The district is searching for candidates within California.
"We want somebody who's already familiar with the California budget crisis and understands the way the state budget works or doesn't work," Lyons said.
The district has had to slash its budget by $19 million over the last three years due to statewide cuts.
Board members fired former Superintendent Cyndy Simms right before the start of the 2010-11 school year, citing that they wanted a change in direction.
The move came just six months after renewing her contract, costing Walnut Valley Unified nearly $300,000. The district had hired Simms in October 2007 after former Superintendent Kent Bechler accepted a position in Corona-Norco Unified School District.
The search for a new superintendent will be $5,000, the cost of employing a consultant, according to board member Nancy Lyons.
"We're really happy that we're doing it as low cost as possible," Lyons said.
The cost of employing a search firm would run between $25,000 and $35,000, McCully said.
A recent meeting held was comprised of just a few parents and community members.
They said they were interested in preserving AP classes, having a superintendent who relate to parents and their community, preserve Advanced Placement (AP) classes and continues to bring the district forward.
"Yes, the superintendent needs to be concerned about the financial aspects, but curriculum is important for the kids. Their education should be number one. He or she needs to look at ways to fund or keep programs going," said Roy Takemura, who sits on the board for the Walnut Valley Unified Finance Corporation.
Officials hope to present the board with between three and five candidates early next month.
Board members will interview the candidates before they make their selection in January.
The district is searching for candidates within California.
"We want somebody who's already familiar with the California budget crisis and understands the way the state budget works or doesn't work," Lyons said.
The district has had to slash its budget by $19 million over the last three years due to statewide cuts.
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