This evening the governing board will vote on whether to hold a search for a new Superintendent. As you may recall, Dr. Lutrey resigned at the end of December and Dr. Denise Birdwell has taken over Dr. Lutrey's responsibilities.
Since May of last year Michelle and I have been dedicated in our efforts to meet with the Superintendent, Governing Board members and candidates, district staff and personnel as well as parents in order to achieve better communication between the community and the District. There are many good things happening within the district and Michelle and I feel that Dr. Birdwell has been the driving force behind them. She has assembled a very capable group of leaders in curriculum and they are moving forward and achieving many goals set since the beginning of this year. Birdwell has also formed a committee of students and another for parents where committee members will be able to discuss the "good, bad, and the ugly" with Dr. Birdwell. We feel that Birdwell is mindful of our communities problems and committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity in district affairs.
Michelle and I would like to see Dr. Birdwell serve as Interim Superintendent for one year (what would have been Lutrey's last contracted year.) We believe the hire of a new Superintendent is very important and want a leader who will fit this district well. The prime time to extend offers of employment for a Superintendency is in February. We feel that the time-frame given is rushed and that the costs associated with a search at this point would be difficult for our district. At the same time, we see great momentum in improvements and development of programs that are happening under the leadership of Dr. Birdwell. We are recommending that the Governing Board allow Dr. Birdwell to serve as an Interim Superintendent and begin the formal search for a Superintendent next school year. We also feel that this would give our district an opportunity to see the leadership of Dr. Birdwell without a binding contract. If after a year the community and the Governing Board feel Dr. Birwell has proven herself an effective leader in HUSD, Michelle and I believe Dr. Birdwell should apply for candidacy in the search for Superintendent.
We felt it important to inform you about our opinion regarding the search for a new superintendent and invite you to come and listen to information given at the Work Study Session that will be held at the District offices tonight at 5:30 specifically to discuss how to approach hiring a new Superintendent. This will not be a time for the public to speak but a great chance to hear the different points of view that affect the future leadership of the district. We hope you will make time in your evening to attend. Governing board meeting will follow the work study session. Thank you for your continued support of our district. We hope together we can effect the changes that HUSD has been looking for.
Sincerely,Change in HUSDStacey Christensen and Michelle Rigby
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Superintendent Search
This evening the governing board will vote on whether to hold a search for a new Superintendent. As you may recall, Dr. Lutrey resigned at the end of December and Dr. Denise Birdwell has taken over Dr. Lutrey's responsibilities.
Since May of last year Michelle and I have been dedicated in our efforts to meet with the Superintendent, Governing Board members and candidates, district staff and personnel as well as parents in order to achieve better communication between the community and the District. There are many good things happening within the district and Michelle and I feel that Dr. Birdwell has been the driving force behind them. She has assembled a very capable group of leaders in curriculum and they are moving forward and achieving many goals set since the beginning of this year. Birdwell has also formed a committee of students and another for parents where committee members will be able to discuss the "good, bad, and the ugly" with Dr. Birdwell. We feel that Birdwell is mindful of our communities problems and committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity in district affairs.
Michelle and I would like to see Dr. Birdwell serve as Interim Superintendent for one year (what would have been Lutrey's last contracted year.) We believe the hire of a new Superintendent is very important and want a leader who will fit this district well. The prime time to extend offers of employment for a Superintendency is in February. We feel that the time-frame given is rushed and that the costs associated with a search at this point would be difficult for our district. At the same time, we see great momentum in improvements and development of programs that are happening under the leadership of Dr. Birdwell. We are recommending that the Governing Board allow Dr. Birdwell to serve as an Interim Superintendent and begin the formal search for a Superintendent next school year. We also feel that this would give our district an opportunity to see the leadership of Dr. Birdwell without a binding contract. If after a year the community and the Governing Board feel Dr. Birwell has proven herself an effective leader in HUSD, Michelle and I believe Dr. Birdwell should apply for candidacy in the search for Superintendent.
We felt it important to inform you about our opinion regarding the search for a new superintendent and invite you to come and listen to information given at the Work Study Session that will be held at the District offices tonight at 5:30 specifically to discuss how to approach hiring a new Superintendent. This will not be a time for the public to speak but a great chance to hear the different points of view that affect the future leadership of the district. We hope you will make time in your evening to attend. Governing board meeting will follow the work study session. Thank you for your continued support of our district. We hope together we can effect the changes that HUSD has been looking for.
Sincerely,Change in HUSDStacey Christensen and Michelle Rigby
Since May of last year Michelle and I have been dedicated in our efforts to meet with the Superintendent, Governing Board members and candidates, district staff and personnel as well as parents in order to achieve better communication between the community and the District. There are many good things happening within the district and Michelle and I feel that Dr. Birdwell has been the driving force behind them. She has assembled a very capable group of leaders in curriculum and they are moving forward and achieving many goals set since the beginning of this year. Birdwell has also formed a committee of students and another for parents where committee members will be able to discuss the "good, bad, and the ugly" with Dr. Birdwell. We feel that Birdwell is mindful of our communities problems and committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity in district affairs.
Michelle and I would like to see Dr. Birdwell serve as Interim Superintendent for one year (what would have been Lutrey's last contracted year.) We believe the hire of a new Superintendent is very important and want a leader who will fit this district well. The prime time to extend offers of employment for a Superintendency is in February. We feel that the time-frame given is rushed and that the costs associated with a search at this point would be difficult for our district. At the same time, we see great momentum in improvements and development of programs that are happening under the leadership of Dr. Birdwell. We are recommending that the Governing Board allow Dr. Birdwell to serve as an Interim Superintendent and begin the formal search for a Superintendent next school year. We also feel that this would give our district an opportunity to see the leadership of Dr. Birdwell without a binding contract. If after a year the community and the Governing Board feel Dr. Birwell has proven herself an effective leader in HUSD, Michelle and I believe Dr. Birdwell should apply for candidacy in the search for Superintendent.
We felt it important to inform you about our opinion regarding the search for a new superintendent and invite you to come and listen to information given at the Work Study Session that will be held at the District offices tonight at 5:30 specifically to discuss how to approach hiring a new Superintendent. This will not be a time for the public to speak but a great chance to hear the different points of view that affect the future leadership of the district. We hope you will make time in your evening to attend. Governing board meeting will follow the work study session. Thank you for your continued support of our district. We hope together we can effect the changes that HUSD has been looking for.
Sincerely,Change in HUSDStacey Christensen and Michelle Rigby
Friday, December 19, 2008
HUSD JOINT SEPARATION STATEMENTDecember 19, 2008 The Higley Unified School District (HUSD) Governing Board and District Superintendent Dr. Joyce Lutrey have amicably agreed to terms of separation upon Dr. Lutrey’s request. Both the Governing Board and Dr. Lutrey support this separation and are confident the district will continue to make great strides with the district strategic plan* underway and a strong leadership team in place. The Governing Board and Dr. Lutrey have worked as a team to manage the district’s fast growth and build a strong foundation for the district. In just eight years, HUSD has grown from one school to nine, received North Central Accreditation as the first k-12 district in AZ to do so, achieved two Excelling school labels from AZ State Standards, and surpassed the Arizona average in every subject area tested in every grade level at every district school. These successes provide the perfect opportunity for Dr. Lutrey to seek opportunities outside the district to advance her career knowing the district is making great strides with a goal and plan in place to achieve Excelling labels for every district school. She believes the district is well positioned to move forward as a new Governing Board takes shape in January 2009. Dr. Lutrey will officially depart the district June 30, 2009 and will work with the Governing Board and the cabinet to complete district projects from December 19, 2008 through the June 30, 2009 date. Beginning December 19, 2008, Dr. Denise Birdwell will assume Dr. Lutrey’s daily duties as the Governing Board determines who will assume the Superintendent title beginning July 1, 2009. The Governing Board wishes Dr. Lutrey well and thanks her for the dedication and commitment she has provided the Higley community over the past five years. Dr. Lutrey wishes to thank the community, the Governing Boards, the students staff and families for their support. She wishes them all well for the future.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
*2* Very Important Items
Vote YES for Higley Kids!!
This is the override - if we don't vote YES - the district will lose out on lots of money.
Governing Board Elections
3 spots open
ChangeInHUSD is endorsing and reccommending:
Paul Howell
Greg Land
Geoff Johnston
(see below post)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Our Endorsements
The leaders of Change in HUSD and PAC (Parent Advisory Council)-HUSD have joined forces for the purpose of endorsing 3 candidates for the November school board election. Together with a panel of parents and community members they invited candidates on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings this week to meet and answer set questions regarding issues of concern that have been expressed by parents and community members in each organization. Questions touched on treatment of teachers and staff, hiring practices, following district policies and procedures, Special Education IEP's, why the candidate is running for HUSD school board and what goals he/she has for HUSD if elected to the board.
After careful consideration, Change in HUSD and PAC-HUSD feel that candidates Greg Land, Paul Howell and Geoff Johnston best represent the parents these organizations have been in communication with. The candidates strongly believe that morale and trust need to be re-established in the HUSD community and are prepared to work to that end. The common threads between these candidates are 1) a belief that our children deserve the best leadership possible and that leaders need to be held accountable, 2) their ability to analyze information and make fair judgments and 3) a shared pride in our community and the vision that our school district can be a premier district in the State of Arizona. “I believe Geoff Johnston, Greg Land and Paul Howell are the candidates that parents and community members have been looking for. They're committed to bringing about the positive change that Change in HUSD and PAC-HUSD are looking for and we're happy to stand behind them,” said Stacey Christensen of Change in HUSD. Michelle Rigby of Change in HUSD states, “I am confident that Paul Howell, Geoff Johnston and Greg Land will be able to have a great working relationship with existing board members Kim Anderson and Vanessa Whitener. There are good things happening now in HUSD and I believe these candidates will expand those positive elements. Our district has a great future.”
Regretfully, incumbent Denise Standage canceled her interview due to a scheduling conflict. The interview panel felt confident in their assessment of Standage based on her voting record, interaction at public meetings, and previous conversations with members of Change in HUSD.
After careful consideration, Change in HUSD and PAC-HUSD feel that candidates Greg Land, Paul Howell and Geoff Johnston best represent the parents these organizations have been in communication with. The candidates strongly believe that morale and trust need to be re-established in the HUSD community and are prepared to work to that end. The common threads between these candidates are 1) a belief that our children deserve the best leadership possible and that leaders need to be held accountable, 2) their ability to analyze information and make fair judgments and 3) a shared pride in our community and the vision that our school district can be a premier district in the State of Arizona. “I believe Geoff Johnston, Greg Land and Paul Howell are the candidates that parents and community members have been looking for. They're committed to bringing about the positive change that Change in HUSD and PAC-HUSD are looking for and we're happy to stand behind them,” said Stacey Christensen of Change in HUSD. Michelle Rigby of Change in HUSD states, “I am confident that Paul Howell, Geoff Johnston and Greg Land will be able to have a great working relationship with existing board members Kim Anderson and Vanessa Whitener. There are good things happening now in HUSD and I believe these candidates will expand those positive elements. Our district has a great future.”
Regretfully, incumbent Denise Standage canceled her interview due to a scheduling conflict. The interview panel felt confident in their assessment of Standage based on her voting record, interaction at public meetings, and previous conversations with members of Change in HUSD.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
PAC-HUSD
In response to the extreme injustice suffered by students in HUSD in Special Education, PAC-HUSD, or Parent Advisory Council in Higley Unified School District, is a group of concerned parents of special education students who advise, educate and empower, and advocate for if needed, other parents of special education students in the IDEA and Civil Rights laws. If you have a special education student in HUSD, or know someone who does, and they are not receiving their Free And Appropriate Education, with optimal special education services, please send an email to pachusd@cox.net for assistance.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Governing Board Candidates
There are 6 individuals running for the 3 spots opening up on the Governing Board.
Paul Howell
Geoff Johnston
Greg Land
Taunya Lofgreen
Denise Standage - current Board Member
Carolyn Starr
We look forward to meeting with all these individuals and finding out what they are hoping to accomplish for our School District. We are aware of Denise Standage's viewpoints as we have previously met with her for 3 hours..
The opinions we will share are just that - *our* opinions. We hope that we will be able to find 3 candidates that will best represent US - the parents of the district.
Elections are held in November
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