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