Salinas school district closer to selecting new superintendent after narrowing search

After a months long process, candidates vying to be the next superintendent of Monterey County's largest school district will move onto the next phase of the executive search.

The finalists were selected by the governing board during a special meeting on Aug. 27, where they reviewed all the candidate applications including comprehensive reference and background checks undertaken by Leadership Associates, an executive search firm hired by the board to manage the recruitment process.

Those candidates will now undergo formal interviews by the Salinas Union High School District Board of Trustees on Sept. 7, according to a district announcement.

Public input on the new superintendent recruitment search

As part of the recruitment process, 40 participants attended two public sessions held on Aug. 5 and 6 at North Salinas High School and Alisal High School, respectively and 982 respondents completed an anonymous online survey, according to the district announcement.

Survey questions included, "what are the major challenges for the next superintendent" and "what is important for the next superintendent to know about the community."

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“The community input is an integral part of the superintendent search process. It provides the board with valuable information that will be used to create the job description, recruit candidates and develop interview questions,” stated Jacki Horejs and Blanca G. Cavazos, co-directors of Leadership Associates. “The collective input ensures a better candidate match for the position and the community.”

Who made the cut?

While the district will not release demographic information on applicants during the search process, the posted job description says the school district seeks a person, which among other qualities, "has broad experience in education, from classroom teaching to administration, with a focus on school climate, safety, and serving diverse communities" and "a proven track record in driving equity initiatives and improving outcomes for all students."

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Having a master's degree or higher and being an educator with secondary experience in California are a few of the desired qualifications.

Salary range for the position is $255,000 - $295,000.

Superintendent Dan Burns announces departure

In a video message posted on the district's official YouTube channel in May, Superintendent Dan Burns said he would be resigning from the job he has had since 2017. He assured the district that he would continue as superintendent until a successor was hired and then serve in an advisory role.

He cited a health diagnosis he had been navigating as a factor in his decision.

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Burns has worked in the Salinas Union High School District for 32 years, first as a guidance technician at El Sausal Middle School then as a teacher and administrator. He was the principal of Alisal High School for six years and four years as the district's Associate Superintendent of Instructional Services.

Salinas Union High School District is the largest in Monterey County

The Salinas Union High School District is the largest of the 24 school districts in Monterey County, with more than 16,200 students in 7th to 12th grade, in 12 schools, according to the Monterey County Office of Education .

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Salinas school district closer to selecting new superintendent after narrowing search