Challenges & Opportunities

• Be highly visible in the schools and community in support of strong, positive community engagement and relationships.
• Lead with a positive, open style, emphasizing clear communication, genuine listening and consistent follow-through with all stakeholders.
• Be a steward of all the district's and community's financial, human and capital resources.
• Develop and articulate a long-term academic achievement-focused vision for the district and the community.
• Maintain and enhance the student-focused programs and priorities established by the school board, staff and community.
• Continue the tradition of forward-thinking leadership and innovation with respect to the district's capital resources. Be a champion for engaging the community in response to growth and change.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to create and enhance relationships and inspire support from staff and all groups and members of the community.
• A strong academic focus with a thorough understanding of instructional design and teaching strategies to serve a growing, changing community.
• Strong financial background including experience with levy and bond elections.
• An experienced educational leader, preferably with demonstrated success as a classroom teacher and building-level administrator.
• The ability to engage the community to develop and support a clearly articulated, long-term vision for the district and foster a strong inclusive climate.
• A desire to be an active leader in the Granite Falls School District and community. The Superintendent should live in or within 30 miles of the district.

Common Threads

Granite Falls  School District Superintendent Search - Focus Groups

October 3, 2023

(15 Meetings/78 participants)

Celebrations:

• Sense of community – pride in schools– traditions – support
• Geographically located in a good place – great place to live
• People want to be here – supportive culture
• New housing and growing enrollment
• School – community partnerships
• People care about the district – caring staff
• Growing diversity of students – economically, racially, culturally
• Geographic configuration of schools – center of community
• Good labor relations
• ALE program and student options
• Overall support for levies and bonds - fundraising
• High school – outside facilities/fields – well maintained
• Positive athletic programs and student activities
• Dedicated staff - devoted to kids and community
• Welcoming and family atmosphere

Challenges:                                                         

• Fiscal challenges – managing the budget
• Staff reductions in 2023-24
• Special Education – numbers, percentage, cost
• Growing community – increase in enrollment – capacity
• Resistance to new ideas/change
• Leadership changes – transition to new leader
• Academics – low scores – student achievement gap
• Economic diversity in district and community – poverty/equity
• Communication with parents, families and community
• CTE programs maintained and expanded
• Open contracts with bargaining units over next two years
• Support systems to address students and adult needs – mental health
• Getting community to believe in the district and value education
• Improving adult morale and culture in district – district image

Attributes:

• Visible, involved, interacts with schools, activities and in the community
• Understands Granite Falls – traditions, history, culture, community
• Able to form and nurture strong community and district relationships/partnerships – develops trust
• Able to make changes and hold people accountable – follow through
• Transparent/honest/approachable/trustworthy/inspiring/collaborator
• Successful experience in fiscal operations – understands budget
• Someone with new ideas – open minded – can make hard decisions
• Advocate for parents and families
• Addresses academic challenges
• Supportive of and involved with teachers, staff and students
• Communicator – listener – open minded – relationship focused
• Successful experience as educational/instructional leader – classroom/building/district level experience - knows teaching and learning
• Focuses on students and staff – behavior social/emotional support
• Residency in or near Granite Falls strongly desired/important - longevity
• Listens to student voices – advocate – does best for kids