HUSD Superintendent Search on Hold: District Must Set Its Own Goals Before Hiring, Board Members Say

By Hillary Borrud, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.

Sep. 12–HESPERIA — Hesperia Unified School District will not get a new superintendent anytime soon, a majority of its Board of Trustees said Tuesday.

The search to replace former Superintendent Hank Richardson, who left the district through a buyout on Aug. 6, came up for discussion at Monday night’s board meeting.

The three trustees elected in November 2006 — Hardy Black, Robert Kirk and Ella “Lee” Rogers — said that the district should not begin the search until the board sets its own goals and objectives.

The three trustees said Richardson was selected too quickly, and they need to decide upon a direction for the district that will guide their superintendent search.

The trustees chose HUSD’s assistant superintendent of personnel, Mark McKinney, to serve as interim superintendent on Aug. 20.

Trustee Helen Rogers, who was not at Monday night’s meeting, said with McKinney working two jobs for the district, administrators at district office are feeling strained.

“We’ve had goals and objectives in the past and our bylaws state how we select a superintendent,” she said. “I’m not saying we need to choose on right away, but we need to start looking.”

Kirk said that the board might consider hiring a retired administrator to help out until a permanent superintendent is chosen.

Helen Rogers said Richardson was a good superintendent and was not chosen too quickly.

Board President Bruce Minton, who spoke in favor of launching a superintendent search Monday, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The board’s discussion of goals and objectives has been going on now for three to four months, Black said, and each member has now submitted his or her own suggestions. Interim Superintendent Mark McKinney will now compile the proposed goals.

Ella “Lee” Rogers said the board needs to get together its goals and objectives before the superintendent search begins. “I’m afraid this wasn’t done before,” she said.

The board also voted unanimously Monday night to pursue eminent domain on property where a new elementary school is planned. Krystal Elementary School at Krystal Drive and Farmdale Avenue will be one of three new elementary schools that the district plans to open in August 2009, Kirk said.

Verano Elementary School is planned for Verano Street in the “golden triangle” area of Victorville, and Cedar Glen Elementary School is planned for Cedar Street and Fuente Avenue in Hesperia.

The schools are needed to accommodate actual and projected population growth, according to a staff report included with Monday’s meeting agenda.

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