District Mission

It is the mission of the Kingston City School District to educate, inspire, and graduate students who are excellent in scholarship and character and are empowered to reach their maximum potential as responsible and productive members of society.

An Invitation to Apply for the Position of

Superintendent of Schools

s L e t t e r t o C a n d id a t e
Dear Candidate strict is seeking an inspired, The Kingston City School Di cational leader to become our innovative, and visionary edu be e current superintendent will Superintendent of Schools. Th erintendent. retiring after seven years as sup erse be an integral part of our div The new superintendent will . increase student achievement community and our efforts to ucation ts, and the Board of Ed Educators in the district, paren um p students achieve their maxim are continually striving to hel ations of our entire PreK-12 potential. We have high expect es to ad spectrum of quality servic student body and provide a bro d interests. meet their individual needs an offer a competitive salary and The Board of Education will 75,000. benefits package starting at $1 of Education, I encourage you behalf of the Kingston Board On opportunity in Ulster County. to consider this dynamic career Thank you for your interest. Sincerely, esident James F. Shaughnessy, Jr., Pr Board of Education Kingston City School District

Board of Education
President James F. Shaughnessy, Jr. Vice President Matthew McCoy District Clerk Camille Ellsworth Maureen Bowers Rev. James Childs Sr. Rev. Arthur Coston Sr. Christopher Farrell Dr. Robin Jacobowitz Nora Scherer Kristen Uhl

Kingston City School District

61 Crown Street, Kingston, New York 12401 (845) 339-3000 | www.kingstoncityschools.org

Kingston
Inspiring Excellence in Our Schools

City School District

Deadline for submission

August 15, 2011

The Kingston City School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability as defined by law.

(845) 339-3000 | kingstoncityschools.org

Kingston City School District represents a unified, diverse, and dynamic community that is committed to excellence in scholarship and character development; ensures the worth, dignity, and well-being of students and staff; and promotes lifelong learning of students, staff, and community.

About the District

The Kingston City School District consists of eleven elementary schools, one of which is a Montessori school; two middle schools; and one high school. Kingston offers a full range of educational opportunities from pre-Kindergarten through advanced placement courses. The high school is in the second year of restructuring. All other schools are in good standing. One elementary school is scheduled to close in September, 2012, when changes to elementary attendance zones will take effect. EXCEL capital improvement projects were completed in 2010, and the renovated Carnegie Learning Center will open on the high school campus in September, 2011. The Kingston High School Second Century Capital Project is being developed to present to voters in late 2011. The District works very closely with the District wide Parents Council to provide ongoing communication and support for parents as effective advocates. There are 914 professional staff members and 330 support staff members educating our students. Our dedicated teachers are committed to maintaining an environment that fosters new knowledge and embraces creativity and skill development. The District believes that the Arts, athletics and extra curricular activities are a fundamental part of the complete education package that our students receive. The Central Administration includes an Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, an Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, and an Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administration. The position of Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations is currently vacant.

Who Should Apply

The Board of Education is seeking a dynamic leader with a child-centered approach to education and an articulated vision for preparing students for intellectual, civic, and social engagement in the 21st century. Specifically, we seek an individual with:
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Core Beliefs
Student learning is a priority of the school district as students are our most valuable asset. All students require positive learning experiences, appropriate opportunities, inspiration, and encouragement in order to be confident, self-directed, lifelong learners. Curricula should foster academic achievement and character development. A safe and physically comfortable environment is critical to student and staff success. All students, staff, and stakeholders are to be treated with fairness, honesty, dignity, and respect. A collaborative partnership of students, school district, family, and community is critical to the successful education of all.

Our Community
Kingston is on the west bank of the Hudson River, 90 miles north of New York City and 50 miles south of Albany. It was the third European settlement in the state, and during the Revolutionary War, its first capital. It is the seat of Ulster County. Nestled at the foot of the Catskill Mountains in the beautiful Hudson River Valley, the Kingston City School District encompasses the City of Kingston, the towns of Ulster and Kingston, and parts of the towns of Esopus, Hurley, Woodstock, Rosendale, Saugerties, New Paltz, and Marbletown. As such, the school district serves diverse communities of urban, suburban, and rural populations. The Mid-Hudson Region is fortunate to have a wide variety of recreational, cultural, and religious facilities. The proximity of the Catskills provides several sites close by for downhill and cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, and sightseeing. There are many public and private tennis courts and over a dozen golf courses within an hours drive. There is easy access via train, bus, and highway to Albany, New York City, and New England. With plentiful theatres, museums, antique shops, galleries, concerts, tours, boating, and festivals, Kingston and Ulster County provide something for everyone. The 60,000 people living within the District create a wonderfully rich mixture of diversity. Not only is there variety in the geography of the region, but there is also a multiplicity of national and ethnic origins. A broad range of employment settings and income levels is reflected in a similar range of housing options. The successful candidate should be prepared to meaningfully interact with these distinct constituencies.

A collaborative leadership style characterized by respect, honesty, integrity, trust, fairness, and openness to new ideas. Demonstrated success working with, and serving the needs of, diverse socioeconomic and racial populations in urban and rural contexts. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. Experience in the creation and implementation of educational alternatives, such as programs for at-risk youth and the transformation of a large high school into small learning communities. Experience creating a district budget that preserves high quality educational programming without overburdening taxpayers. Experience advancing district and community interests in connection with capital projects, referenda, school closings, and redistricting. An ability to unify groups within the schools and community by creating strong partnerships and working with employee, parent, and community constituencies. A willingness to make a long-term commitment to our district. Demonstrated success as a classroom teacher, building leader, and central administrator. A NYS School District Administrator or School District Leader certification. *Residency is preferred but not required.

Application Process
Interested applicants should provide a letter of application, resume, updated university placement folder, and a completed application to: Mr. Lawrence Thomas, District Superintendent Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Educational Services 6 Wierk Avenue, Liberty, New York 12754

Application Deadline: August 15, 2011

Review of Applications ........................................... August Interviews with Board of Education ....................... September Final Interviews ..................................................... October Final Decision by Board of Education .................... November Anticipated Start Date ........................................... December 2011

District Facts
HS: MS:

Located at the foot of the Catskills approximately 90 miles north of New York City, the District covers an area of approximately 100 square miles and has an enrollment of 7,093 students in fourteen instructional buildings: Kingston High School, Bailey Middle School, Miller Middle School, Anna Devine Elementary, Chambers Elementary, Crosby Elementary, Edson Elementary, Graves Elementary, George Washington Elementary, John F. Kennedy Elementary, Meagher Elementary, Myer Elementary, Sophie Finn Elementary, and Zena Elementary.K

Enrollment
2,151 grades 9-12 1,480 grades 6-8

Finances
2011-12 voter-approved school budget $141,017,676 Tax levy increase for 2011-12 school year 4.9%

Staff
Administrators: 30 Instructional Staff: 884 Support Staff: 330

Elem: 3,178 grades K-5 Pre-K: 274 students

GED/BOCES 344 students