The Tanque Verde Unified School Districtโs top administrator is retiring at the end of school year, so the district is searching for a new one.
Kimberly Sharp, who served as superintendent for two years, will retire on June 30, 2017. She was previously the districtโs director of human resources for eight years.
โMs. Sharp has been a highly regarded member of our district administrative team throughout her tenure here,โ said Claire Place, the districtโs spokeswoman. โShe has provided very effective leadership during her superintendency.โ
Sharp took over as superintendent when Doug Price resigned to take a job in the Sacaton Elementary School District, just south of Phoenix area.
Sharp could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
During her 10 years at Tanque Verde, Sharp has worked to grow other members in the administration, said Carlos Ruiz, governing board president. โI think sheโs done a really good job in the short time that sheโs been superintendent.โ
The Tanque Verde district, which serves about 2,100 students and employs about 280 people, is working with the Arizona School Boards Association to search for a new superintendent.
The new chief would be responsible for overseeing two elementary schools, a junior high and a high school.
Community membersโ voice was united in saying they wanted a superintendent with strong communication skills and a focus on high academic rigor, Ruiz said.
โWeโre looking for an education professional who is approachable and transparent in their communication and has teaching and educational leadership experience,โ he said.
A new Tanque Verde schools superintendent should be an advocate for the district both in the community and to the state Legislature, he said. With uncertainties in state funding for schools, the district also needs a leader who is savvy with budget.
The search will officially begin when the job is posted by the Arizona School Boards Association in early January.
