ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Telluride R-1 School District

All applicants must apply online. Please begin the process at www.casb.org/superintendent-openings

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

With 140 employees, the district is one of the largest employers inthe region, and serves a steady population of students withabout  900 currently enrolled.  The district’s schools are Accreditedwith Distinction by the State of Colorado for every year since theaward's inception. In 2019 Telluride was ranked  #1 District inColorado according to the Colorado Department of Education’sDistrict Performance Framework and School PerformanceFrameworks. Telluride has also been recognized as a National BoardAccomplished District where at least 20 percent of its teachers haveachieved National Board certification.   In 2013, the district launched a technology initiative that providediPads to all students in grades 4-6, and in 2019, grades 7-8 wereissued a school-owned Chromebook.  In 2014, the districtestablished a dual immersion kindergarten program in three of itsfour kindergarten classes, joining an existing dual language programin the preschool. The program has expanded through IntermediateSchool with plans to continue rolling up to TMHS. In High School,students who meet TSD requirements may apply for a Seal ofBiliteracy.

The Telluride School District implemented the AVID CollegeReadiness System in 2016 which is expanding district-wide. Teachers from all TSD schools continue to be  trained in  AVIDstrategies, other best instructional practices, and 21st century toolsto ensure college and career  readiness and increased academicperformance for all students. 

With an expensive and tight housing market, TSD owns 11affordable housing units. The District uses employee housing to bestserve the District and its  endeavor to balance the need forrecruitment and retention.

Telluride students have a variety of electives and  THS offers 13Advanced Placement courses in the 2019/2020 school year.Students have access to a broad range of extracurricular activities,including school-sponsored sports and clubs as well as opportunitiesafforded by outside organizations.  Due to excellent communitysupport, Telluride students regularly have opportunities to internwith the local radio and TV station, work with scientists through theSmithsonian-affiliated Pinhead Institute, and interact with leadingfilm and music professionals who come to Telluride to perform. Nearly all of our high school students graduate on time, and in 201993% went on to four-year colleges, ranging from state universities,to prestigious venues such as Yale, Penn, Dartmouth and USC. 

THE COMMUNITY

Celebrated for its culture, heritage and spectacular scenic beauty,Telluride is a world-class winter and summer destination resortcommunity nestled in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado.Located at 8,750 feet in elevation, Telluride is known for its excellentskiing in the winter, its many arts and cultural festivals in the summer,and for its high-performing schools. The ski area has been ranked five ofthe last six years as the #1 ski resort in North America by Conde Nast,and the community’s festivals are world-famous, such as the TellurideFilm Festival, MountainFilm in Telluride and the Telluride BluegrassFestival, to name a few. The year-round population within the school district boundaries  isapproximately  8,000.  While the principal economic driver of thecommunity is tourism, Telluride is a true mountain community with anactive and engaged citizenry, and with cultural offerings and optionsoften associated with larger cities. Telluride is served by two airports --TEX, now offering commercial options on Denver Air Connection andBoutique Air with their United relationships, and Montrose RegionalAirport (MTJ). Telluride offers many recreational opportunities in addition to downhillskiing, including Nordic skiing, mountain and road biking, ice and rockclimbing, hiking, river rafting, fly fishing, camping and hunting. Telluridealso enjoys a vibrant arts community. It is a recipient of the Governor’sArts Award, and has been named as a “Colorado Creative District,” andoffers many opportunities for art classes and stage performancesthrough local arts organizations. The school district is home toTelluride’s premier performing arts venue, the Michael D. Palm Theatre,a 600-seat state-of-the-art facility, that is used by students and thecommunity for live performances year-round.

Amid all of the beauty of our community lie the realities of a ruralresort town. Our district has a substantial free and reduced lunchpopulation and there is a disparity of wealth as a hard workingpopulation supports our resort industries. As a district striving forinclusion, we are constantly in search of ways to learn from and includeour diverse populations. 

The District enjoys strong community support. In November 2018, 64.5percent of voters  approved a mill levy increase.  The increase isexpected to raise $1.2 million a year and will help fund high qualityteachers and staff; small class sizes; diverse, innovative and rigorousprogramming; student achievement, including college and careerreadiness; and the cost of general operations. Additionally, in 2015 theDistrict's community approved a $22.3 million bond obligation toconstruct a new Intermediate School building, make renovations andother capital repairs. In 2012, voters also approved a mill levy overrideof $800,000. The District also has a separate transportation MLO.

Visit Telluride/ Ryan Bonneau

DISTRICT FACTS

Contact Person/Title:Kim Spaulding, Board SecretaryPhone: (970) 369-1214Email: kspaulding@telluride.k12.co.us

District Website:www.tellurideschool.org

Total District Employees: 143

Current Student Enrollment: 905     Number of Licensed Teachers: 92     Number of Administrators: 5     Number of Classified Staff: 46

SCHOOL BOARD

A five-member Board of Education governs the districtand holds regular meetings.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Assessed Valuation: $843,028,860

General Fund Per Pupil Expenditure: $14,000

Budget

     Budget Year: FY2019-20     General Fund: $4.93 million     Capital Reserve Fund: $1.3 million     Pupil Activity Fund: $521,000     Total Appropriation: $19.93 million

COMPENSATION

Superintendent Salary: $145K-$165K

Benefits: District health policy, vacation days, sick days,membership dues, employee housing.

SUPERINTENDENT EXPERIENCE REQUIRED? No

PREFERRED HIRE DATE: February 26, 2020

PREFERRED START DATE: July 1, 2020

DOCTORATE REQUIRED? No

PREFERENCES, NOT REQUIREMENTS

Educational leaderSmall school district experienceSpecial Education experienceBilingual in English/SpanishOutdoor education experience

This document can be downloaded and printed atwww.casb.org/superintendent-openings

QUALITIES/EXPERIENCE

A leader who is visionary, innovative and accountable toresultsExperience with developing budgets, managing finances, andstate public school finance lawsStrong listener, communicator and collaborator with allstakeholdersExcellent relationship-building skillsA student-centered leader who is approachable and trustedComfortable wearing many hatsAbility to maintain high visibility in schools, events and thecommunityEmbraces District values of academic growth and highstandardsExperience in curriculum development and academicclassroom instructionAppreciates and embraces local community lifestyle andcultureAttracts and retains passionate and high-performing staffMust hold or be able to obtain an administrative license

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must apply online at www.casb.org/superintendent-openings. All qualifications and essay questions must becompleted in full prior to the application being submitted. Thefinal three questions require a video response.

Please answer each of the following 2 essay questions in no morethan 500 words each:

We are a small district with exemplary academic growth and highachievement. How can we maintain this success while expandingand integrating more alternative high-quality programs, such asCTE and 21st century skill readiness into Middle and High Schoolwhile our Dual Immersion Program is growing into those grades atthe same time?

Describe a conflict you experienced related to implementing aprogram or disciplinary policy. Describe the challenges you facedand how you overcame them. What did you learn?

Please answer each of the following 2 essay questions in no morethan 250 words each:

Given the broad socio-economic diversity of our community, whatactions would you take to form effective relationships with staff,community and other stakeholders in order to collaborate, buildtrust and create a unity of vision?

Discuss your beliefs, understanding or experience with TellurideSchool District's communities, their values, and why you desire tobe a part of this Colorado mountain community.

Please answer the following essay question in no more than 100words:

Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you excited abouteducation.

The following questions require a recorded video response ofone minute each. Video links must be submitted with your onlineapplication. It is the responsibility of each applicant to passwordprotect their video responses. Helpful tips can be found here onthe CASB website.

What would you like us to know about you?

What unique qualifications would you bring to Telluride R-1School District?

What is the most important issue facing Telluride R-1 SchoolDistrict at this time?

Application Deadline: January 20, 2020 Interviews: February 24-25, 2020

Telluride R-1 School District