AUHSD searches for superintendent

Anderson Union High School District board members are in the final stages of the interview process in the search for a new district superintendent.

The board finished a series of interviews on Saturday, July 26, and is making a job offer this week. Because no official contract has been signed, the board declined to give a name of the selected candidate.

Interim superintendent Charles Bononi has stepped in until the official superintendent comes on board. Bononi began his interim position in June, taking Superintendent Randy Palomino’s place. Palomino retired after serving three years in his position and 33 years in this district.

Interim Superintendent Bononi is no stranger to the Anderson school district, where he served as a teacher, principal and superintendent before his retirement.

Bononi is participating in the hiring process and filling in with everyday duties.

“I’m helping to maintain what the district has going and continue to keep it at level keel until the new superintendent comes in and has the opportunity to make changes,” Bononi said. The board hired the California School Board Association to conduct their superintendent search. The board chose to conduct a hiring search outside the district in an effort to get a large pool of qualified candidates.

Bononi, who coached basketball at Anderson, explained the districts reasoning with a sports analogy.

“The bigger the school, the more students, the better chance you have one that is 6’10 that can play basketball that can dunk,“ Bononi said. “The broader the spectrum, the better chance you have to get a candidate that will fit with your district.”

While professional experience and education is important in the search for a superintendent, Bononi said the school board is also taking into consideration which candidate will make the best fit.

The board’s selection criteria included a search for personal characteristics such as:

• Enjoys being a part of the community in which they work.

• Has a style that promotes visibility, accessibility and approachability.

• Is honest and has the ability to make the “tough” decisions in the best interests of students.

“There is a lot of pride in the district on all sides,” Bononi said.

The district has a long history in academics and athletics. But it has also struggled with declining enrollment – and in turn – a decline in school funding. Attracting students to stay in the district, and selling the school to students in other district, will be ongoing challenge, said Bononi.

“You have to go out and sell your school. That’s the challenge,” Bononi said. “But that’s probably a good thing, because if you want to sell a product, you have to be doing a good job.”