Stony Creek schools superintendent position open

The search for a new superintendent for Stony Creek Joint Unified School District is officially under way.

The Stony Creek School board posted the part-time position Thursday in the hope they will get a qualified individual willing to spend two to three days a week on the district's campuses in Elk Creek and Stonyford.

The job pays $380 a day, which is about $45 an hour, officials said.

"We've talked about it a lot and almost did it once," said Trustee Chonne Murphy. "It's time to get someone to captain our own ship."

The school board finalized the position Wednesday during it regular board meeting at Indian Valley Elementary School in Stonyford.

They plan to announce their selection at a public meeting on March 19.

Glenn County Superintendent of Schools Tracey Quarne has been serving as the interim superintendent ever since former Superintendent Debbie Blake resigned.

Blake, who served as a full-time superintendent and principal for the three schools, left in May after learning the school board would not renew her contract another year.

The board agreed later to separate the superintendent position from the principal's position.

Principal Tim Drury, who was hired last summer, is doing an outstanding job, officials said, and it's time for the school board to make a commitment on the other position.

The new superintendent will relieve Drury from having to represent the district at county and state agency meetings, such as those for the Special Education Local Plan Area and other functions.

The school board Wednesday agreed to also go above and beyond to have the community help with the hiring process this time around.

The initial interview panel will consist of three parents or community members from Grindstone Rancheria, Elk Creek and Stonyford and only two school employees, consisting of one certified teacher and one classified member of the staff.

The previous interview panel was "top heavy" in school employees, who were essentially charged with picking their own boss, officials said.

"We want to have more input from the community," said board President Adrienne Haylor.

In addition to overseeing the district's finances and employees, the new superintendent would be responsible for implementing policies and goals set forth by the board, she said.

Haylor and Quarne worked out a detailed job description for the district's new school chief.

Board members said the community has made it clear they want their principals and superintendents on campus as much as possible.

"I was hoping to see the superintendent on campus at least three days a week," said Trustee Anita McCabe.

But that will be unlikely, Quarne said, as the total available compensation will only cover an alternating schedule of two- and three-day work weeks.

That means the ideal candidate will likely be a retired superintendent who wants to work part-time, he said.

"There are a number of educators in retirement who are still vibrant, who still have energy and are still full of passion," Quarne said.

In fact, the annual salary of $38,000 a year was selected with a retired individual in mind, Quarne said, because the maximum allowed by law for a retiree to work without contributing to the retirement system is $41,000.

The school board hopes to keep some leeway from the maximum salary in the event the school district must later compensate for extra time or duties.

The candidate will also get a $2,500 a year travel allowance that does not count as salary, the board agreed.

Although board members said they didn't want to rush the process, they are hoping to get a superintendent on board before the end of the school year.

The position application process closes at 5 p.m. on March 11.

A committee will narrow the field to six potential candidates who will be vetted by the interview panel on March 16.

A representative from the Glenn County Office of Education's business office and the Stony Creek District Secretary Erin Callahan will sit in on the first interview to provide their expertise, Quarne said.

The school board will then interview the top three candidates selected by the panel in public on March 19 at a special board meeting.

"We plan to make our selection that night and will offer someone the job," Haylor said.

CONTACT Susan Meeker at 934-6800 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.