A national search for the next superintendent of the Canyons School District launched today, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020.
The application to become Canyons’ fourth-ever chief executive was made available to prospective candidates at 8 a.m. Advertisements promoting the search will be appearing in national publications and on education-related websites until the end of the five-week application window.
The Canyons Board of Education opted to fast-track plans to find a new leader after the current superintendent, Dr. Jim Briscoe, on Jan. 14 announced his upcoming retirement from a 38-year career in education. In order to take advantage of peak hiring season, and with the goal of having a new superintendent in place by Dr. Briscoe’s last day on June 30, 2020, members of the Board established an application window to run from Feb. 10 through Friday, March 13, 2020.
At the end of the application window, a third-party facilitator will review the applications and ensure the candidates meet the established qualifications before the names of the applicants are forwarded to the Board of Education for consideration.
The Board of Education, which hires and oversees the superintendent, will identify applicants it would like to interview. From that field, finalists will be chosen. After a final round of interviews, the successful candidate will be chosen and appointed by the Board.
As the search begins in earnest, the Board of Education seeks community input on the desired traits and experience of a new leader of the 34,000-student district. The Board is providing several avenues for the Canyons community to contribute to the conversation about the characteristics that students, parents, patrons, teachers, staff, and business partners would like to see in the new superintendent.
Links to online surveys will be sent to parents and employees via email. Responses will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 21. Three Town Hall meetings Feb. 25-27 also have been planned to gather additional input.
“This public input process was created specifically because of how seriously the Board of Education is approaching the search for Canyons’ next leader,” said Board President Nancy Tingey. “Any and all thoughts about the characteristics, experience, academic credentials, and leadership style desired by this community in a new superintendent will be considered as the Board reviews applications and interviews the top candidates. Please know that your voice matters, and we invite you to participate as we gather this much-valued information.”
The new superintendent will succeed Briscoe, who was appointed in 2014. Dr. Ginger Rhode, the first-ever Deputy Superintendent of Canyons District, served as Interim Superintendent for the 2013-2014 school year. She assumed the role when Dr. David Doty, the inaugural superintendent hired in 2008, stepped down to accept a position with a national education-reform organization.
CANYONS SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH TOWN HALLS
Tuesday, Feb. 25
6:30-8 p.m.
Jordan High, 95 Beetdigger Blvd.
Wednesday, Feb. 26
6:30-8 p.m.
Corner Canyon High, 12943 S. 700 East
Thursday, Feb. 27
6:30-8 p.m.
Albion Middle, 2755 Newcastle Dr.
