Pima County School Superintendent Arzoumanian has decided to undertake an appointment process to fill the vacancy on the Governing Board of Tucson Unified School District left by the untimely passing of Judy Burns. Arizona Revised Statutes § 15-302 outlines Arzoumanian’s responsibility in filling a vacant governing board position in Pima County. Under Arizona statute, Arzoumanian is authorized to fill the vacancy by appointment or by calling for a special election.
Arzoumanian has determined that an appointment to complete the remainder of Mrs. Burns’ term will be best to meet the needs of the community of Tucson Unified School District. Ricky Hernandez the department’s CFO, said of the Superintendent’s process, “In Pima County the Superintendent does not dictate to school districts the process by which they choose individuals to serve on the selection panel.” However contrary to that statement, Arzoumanian is dictating the panel’s composition. Giving district employees two of the five spots alotted. One parent, one community leader, and one business leader will round out the panel.
This move gives the district’s Superintendent two votes in the selection of his next new boss. TUSD Governing Board member Michael Hicks has expressed a desire to have mostly members of the community, and not district insiders fill positions on the five member Community Advisory Committee who will be assembled to interview all qualifying candidates and advise Arzoumanian on the appointment. “I would like to make sure that it is only elected officials, those people who are directly responsible to the public, who choose the members of the selection panel,” said Michael Hicks of the critical selection process.
Arzoumanian has determined that an appointment to complete the remainder of Mrs. Burns’ term will be best to meet the needs of the community of Tucson Unified School District.
The term of the appointment will begin upon the date of appointment and will continue through December 31, 2012. This position will appear on the November 2012 ballot as a regular, four (4) year-term position.
To qualify as a candidate for appointment, the candidate must meet all of the following statutory requirements:
1. Be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Arizona
2. Be 18 years of age at the time of appointment
3. Be a registered voter in the State of Arizona
4. Be a resident of Tucson Unified School District at least one year prior to the date of appointment
5. Must not be a District employee or a spouse of a current District employee.
6. Must not be an immediate family member of current Governing Board members who have shared the same household in the last 4 years.
Anyone who wishes to be considered for appointment must submit a completed candidate questionnaire no later than 5:00PM on Friday, November 18, 2011. The Community Advisory Committee interviews will be scheduled in early December.
Interested individuals may pick up a candidate questionnaire at the Office of the Pima County School Superintendent located at 130 W. Congress, 4th Floor. For more information or questions, please contact Ricky Hernandez at 740-8451 or ricky.hernandez@schools.pima.gov.