The five member Tanana School District Board of Education is seeking a superintendent following the resignation of Ms. Dorothy Jordan who has served as the superintendent for the past five years.  The District is located two miles west of the junction of the Tanana and Yukon Rivers, 130 air miles west of Fairbanks.  Applicants are being sought from candidates who have successful experience as a school and/or district administrator.  The salary will be $85,000 (DOE) with an attractive fringe benefit package that includes furnished housing.  The position has a July 2008 starting date.

The Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) is conducting the search.  Closing date for receipt of all application material is April 11. On April 14 the Board will review all applications and select the finalists.  The successful candidates will be invited to Tanana for on-site interviews at the Board’s expense on April 22 and 23.  Dr. Bruce Johnson will serve as the AASB search consultant for the Tanana superintendent search.

The following items must accompany all applications: a completed application (available on line) and cover letter, a confidential placement file including
academic transcripts, a minimum of three confidential AASB reference forms primarily from board members and/or individuals who have supervised the candidate (available on line), current resume, transcripts, and certificate copy. Candidates who do not possess an Alaska Type B Certificate with a superintendent endorsement should begin the process with the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.

The Board of Education recognizes that selecting the superintendent is one of the most important decisions it will likely make and is seeking a candidate that can help the Board meet the District’s established mission. The stated mission is:

The Mission of the Tanana City School District, in
partnership with the Community, is to produce students who
possess the necessary attitudes, skills, and knowledge to
pursue their dreams through a curriculum with high
standards that values the diversity of all people while
preserving each individual’s unique cultural heritage. 

The Board is committed to a selection process that is fair and open to all qualified candidates. Priority will be given to candidates whose experience and background closely matches the following characteristics. 

Professional Experience – Qualifications

• Hold, or be able to obtain, a Type B administrative certificate with a superintendent endorsement in the State of Alaska.
• Successful experience as an educational leader with experience at the principal and/or district level.  

Desired Background

• Successful experience as an instructional and curriculum leader.
• Knowledge of school finance and budgeting.
• Capacity to manage major maintenance and capital facility projects.
• Proven success in building positive school-community relations.
• Past experience in securing and managing federal, state, and competitive grants.
• Willingness and ability to provide school and district level leadership as the only school/district administrator.

Personal Characteristics

• Approachable, tolerant and respectful with all constituents.
• Open to working within a diverse culture.
• Self-sufficient and a self-starter.
• Friendly with an out-going personality.
• Strong desire to live and work in a rural community.
• Collaborative with a strong desire to work with students, parents and community members.
  

Compensation

• Secure staff to fill known vacancies and help transition new staff comfortably into the community and the school program.
• Examine ways to increase funding and reduced the portion of the budget currently devoted to energy costs.
• Offer leadership to update the Board Policy manual.
• Provide leadership for the renewal and implementation of the District’s strategic plan.

Location

Tanana is located in Interior Alaska about two miles west of the junction of the Tanana and Yukon Rivers, 130 air miles west of Fairbanks. Daily maximum temperatures during July range from 64 to 70; daily minimum temperatures during January are -14 to -48. Average annual precipitation is 13 inches, with 50 inches of snowfall. The River is ice-free from mid-May through mid-October.

Due to its location at the confluence of the Tanana and Yukon Rivers, Tanana was a traditional trading settlement for Koyukon and Tanana Athabascans long before European contact.  The City of Tanana was incorporated in 1961. The hospital complex was a major employer during this period, employing 54 persons with a payroll of $1.6 million, but was closed in 1982. During 1982, Tanana incorporated as a First Class City in order to assume control of the local school system. The hospital facilities were remodeled for use as a health clinic, counseling center, tribal office, and Regional Elders’ Residence.

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Tanana. The population of the community consists of 81.5% Alaska Native or part Native.  Traditional Athabascan ways of life persist -- subsistence, potlatches, dances and foot races are part of the culture. 
 
  
See  http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm and/or http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_BLOCK.cfm
for more information about Tanana and other communities in the region.

Overview
The Tanana City School District is home to over 50 students a single building located adjacent to the Tanana River.  Tanana is viewed as a sophisticated village with good internet and cable television connectivity.   The district is currently achieving NCLB annual yearly progress with an enthusiastic, willing to learn student body.   Class sizes are small with individual attention available to all students.

The Board is proud of its students and their accomplishments.  The strong academic program is supported by an equally important extra-curricular program involving students in basketball, cross-country, dog racing and Battle of the Books.  Many students pass the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam, graduate from high school and pursue additional education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The superintendent, supported by a bookkeeper and administrative assistant, serves as the districts only administrator. 

Faith Peters, President
Phyllis Erhart
Josephine Grant
Barbara Martin
Kathleen Peters-Zuray