Mon, Jul 06, 2009
ez access
Subscriber services | Subscribe now
Custom clipper icon
More Photos (3):
MORE ABOUT The FINALISTS
Delfino Alemán
Education: doctorate and master's degrees in education and a bachelor's degree in theology. Prior work experience: teacher, assistant principal in Fort Worth; education specialist with Texas Department of Education; education leadership researcher at University of Texas at Austin; director of policies, procedures and public information for San Antonio Independent School District; associate superintendent in Isaac School District in Phoenix.
Elizabeth Celania-Fagen
Education: Doctorate and master's degrees in education leadership and a bachelor's degree in science education. Prior work experience: lab instructor at William Penn University, Oskaloosa, Iowa; high school teacher; substitute administrator; high school administrator; principal; associate principal at various locations in Iowa; executive director of high school programs and academic achievement at the Des Moines Public Schools.
Patti Lopez
Education: doctorate and master's degrees in education and a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Arizona. Prior work experience: teacher, ombudsperson, director of Title 1 funds, director of organizational development, regional superintendent for TUSD; director of state and federal programs for Amphitheater Public Schools.
Rick Myers
Education: bachelor's degree in engineering and UA's Arizona Executive Program. Prior work experience: from May 2006 to June 2007, was the chief operating officer of Bourn Partners. In 2003, Myers retired as vice president of enterprise storage development for IBM after 25 years with the company.

Tucson Region

TUSD superintendent field down to 4

Candidates include ex-IBM exec, 3 with long education careers
By George B. Sánchez
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.22.2008
Three education administrators and a former IBM executive are vying to lead Tucson's largest school district.
The Tucson Unified School District Governing Board announced the four candidates — Delfino Alemán, Elizabeth Celania-Fagen, Patti Lopez and Rick Myers — around 8 p.m. Thursday.
Myers, who retired as vice president of development for IBM after 25 years with the company, is the only candidate not from an education background.
Patti Lopez, deputy superintendent for TUSD, was the only internal candidate.
Alemán is one of five area superintendents for the San Diego Unified School District in California and Celania-Fagen is an associate superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools district in Iowa.
Governing Board President Alex Rodriguez said the candidates emerged from a "very thorough and inclusive process."
Initially five candidates were interviewed by the board before the finalists were selected, he said.
At the beginning of the month, TUSD's Superintendent Search Advisory Committee, an appointed group of 22 community members and TUSD staffers, examined 21 applications. The committee rated superintendent applicants on experience, background and training, and made simple yes or no recommendations. Ten applicants were recommended to the board.
Beginning Monday, public forums have been scheduled for each candidate at Catalina Magnet High School, 3645 E. Pima St.. The forums will last from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a tour of the district and dinner with the Governing Board.
Myers will be the first to have a public forum, scheduled for Feb. 25. Lopez's forum will be Feb. 26 and Alemán's on Feb. 27. The forum for Celania-Fagen is scheduled for March 3.
The board is scheduled to appoint the new superintendent in March.
The position has been advertised as a $185,000-$230,000 salary with a benefits package of up to $50,000.
Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer has said he will retire from TUSD at the end of June.
While Pfeuffer has reiterated that he wants to hand over the district on solid ground, major issues hang over the district.
In April, the board will vote to close Corbett, Ochoa, Rogers and Wrightstown elementary schools. The closures are part of a districtwide effort to cut costs in light of a project budget deficit of at least $15 million for the 2008-09 school year. The cost-saving measures include raising the small class-size cap, from a 1-to-18 student-teacher ratio to 1-to-24.
Meanwhile, it remains uncertain what will happen on the implementation of state-mandated four-hour English classes for English-language learners. Funding for the mandate, which could cost more than $40 million, remains undetermined. TUSD's technology department, which still lacks a director, has been investigated by federal and state officials.
● Contact reporter George B. Sánchez at 573-4195 or at gsanchez@azstarnet.com.
Get Arizona Daily Star home delivery and SAVE BIG!
Go Back