MUSD Governing Board

A month ahead of naming its new superintendent, Maricopa Unified School District whittled down a list of prospective future leaders vying for the position.

Out of the 30 hopefuls who applied, the MUSD Governing Board selected six superintendent candidates to interview. The decision came after three hours of application screenings in executive session Wednesday night.

The board will meet the candidates, anonymously announced as “A, C, D, E, H and J,” during 90-minute interviews March 13-14.

The Board directed Arizona School Board Association Karen Gasket to compose 10 interview questions based on topics they’d like to see covered.

Possible topics include: Exceptional Student Services and behavioral health, employee mentoring and professional growth, evaluation and restructuring of district organizational chart, future planning and growth, teacher retention, principals/superintendent relationship, district goals, student achievement, curriculum and education trends, technology, public safety partnerships and fiscal management.

At least four finalists are slated to be announced in open session after the March 14 interview date, according to a search timeline approved by the board in December. Final interviews will be conducted March 23.

The public will have the opportunity to meet finalists during a Q&A community forum at the District Administration Building March 26 at 7 p.m.

Comments from the public regarding the candidates will be documented and considered during a private deliberation between the board after the public forum at 8:45.

That finalist will be announced publicly by the Board after its private meeting March 26 in open session.

MUSD’s search comes as its current superintendent prepares to transition to a position with Scottsdale Unified School District.

As associate superintendent, Chestnut will work with board members who, Wednesday, met in a special meeting to decide the fate of Scottsdale’s embattled superintendent, Denise Birdwell.

“I, at this time, will make a motion that in consideration in the best interest of the district Dr. Birdwell be placed on temporary, paid administrative leave,” said SUSD Board President Barbara Perleberg during the meeting.

The motion passed unanimously.



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