Healdsburg School District Names New Superintendent Finalist

News from the HEALDSBURG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT:

The Board of Trustees of the Healdsburg Unified School District are delighted to announce that Chris Vanden Heuvel, current principal at Healdsburg High School, has been selected as the sole finalist for the position of Superintendent of the Healdsburg Unified School District (HUSD).

“We are lucky to have such an extremely qualified person within our district who is knowledgeable about the major issues we face and has the vision and leadership to take our district to the next level of greatness,” stated Board of Trustees President Donna del Rey.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to move forward with contract negotiations with Mr. Vanden Heuvel in time to enable a vote at the next regular board meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Mr. Vanden Heuvel emerged as an internal candidate to replace Dr. Jeff Harding who is leaving the position on June 30, 2015.

Mr. Vanden Heuvel has been the principal at Healdsburg High School since 2010 where his student-focused approach has dramatically increased graduation rates and inspired progressive programs, including an innovative seven-period schedule, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), and the award-winning Academic Internship Program that is part of a broad Career & Technical Education initiative.

He began his educational career as a middle school Social Studies and English language teacher before moving into administrative roles as Vice Principal at Windsor High School and Principal of Cali Calmécac Language Academy. In these administrative positions he led bond-funded construction projects and managed multi-million dollar school budgets, experience well-suited to managing the construction projects at all four of the HUSD campuses.

“HUSD has experienced major financial and educational improvements in the last few years and we have a positive outlook for the future,” continued del Rey. “Mr. Vanden Heuvel’s familiarity with our community and the district’s ongoing projects and programs, his experience with all grade levels and his student-focused approach to education will enable him to hit the ground running on July 1. We have great expectations for him as the new leader of our district.”

To begin the superintendent selection process, the Board conducted four Superintendent Input Forums and an online survey. In total, more than 275 individuals, including parents, employees, community members, students and alumni, participated in the forums or online survey. The results of the survey are available on the HUSD website at www.husd.com.

The input identified that the ideal candidate would have classroom and administrative experience; a proven track record of raising student achievement and closing achievement gaps; and inspire teachers and staff with a strong vision for the future. The Board used this input to determine criteria and priorities for superintendent selection with a focus on finding an experienced, innovative, and community- and culturally-minded educational leader with excellent communication and management skills who has demonstrated success in improving student achievement.

“The Trustees are deeply grateful for the insightful input from the community and staff that directly informed and shaped our decision.” del Rey added, “We look forward to continued collaboration with all stakeholders in support of our new district leader.”

More information about the Superintendent Search Process is available on the HUSD website at http://www.husd.com.

About Healdsburg Unified School District

Healdsburg Unified School District (HUSD) offers an academically-rigorous education to 1700 students from preschool to 12th grade. HUSD includes two preschools, a charter elementary school, a traditional elementary school, a middle school, a high school, and an alternative education high school. Our teachers offer innovative, award-winning programs that inspire and engage all students on their path to college and career.