Web banner
WEBSITE | ABOUT NUSD | DEPARTMENTS | PROGRAMS | PARENTS | REGISTRATION
STAFF | SCHOOL BOARD | STUDENTS
Superintendent's Newsletter - April 7, 2016
Jim Hogeboom
Jim Hogeboom
Connect With Us
Dear Novato Community,
 
I am very pleased to share two important administrative staffing updates with you.
 
Assistant Superintendent Education Services: With our focus on teaching and learning, the Board of Trustees approved the position of Assistant Superintendent Education Services at the March 1 Board meeting.  

For the past month, we have gone through a thorough selection process for this new position. The process included targeted recruitment, paper screening, interview, simulated Board meeting, writing sample, reference checking, and a final interview. The initial interview panel included classified staff, certificated staff, a student, parents, and administrators who provided us with excellent feedback that was used to determine who would move forward to the final interview, and be recommended to the Board.
 
We saw many great candidates and had to make an extremely difficult decision. In the end, I recommended Ivan Chaidez to the  Board of Trustees on April 5 and Ivan accepted the position. Ivan is currently the Executive Director of Innovation and Achievement for the Napa Valley Unified School District. Ivan has been a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director. He has been responsible for the move of a high school from a antiquated campus to a new state of the art campus where he led the school out of program improvement and to California Distinguished School status. In Napa he has been responsible for Child Welfare and Attendance, and English learner services. He currently oversees four directors and numerous coordinators who are responsible for teaching and learning, instructional technology, assessment achievement and English learners, and student services.
 
Ivan was described in his letters of recommendation as, "... highly involved, deeply engaged and, most definitely, a creative thinker and problem solver - what we look for in the leaders of tomorrow," "... we have been fortunate to have Mr. Ivan Chaidez lead and create  greater spaces of diversity, inclusivity, and equity within our District," "Mr. Chaidez has and continues to be an inspiration to all of our students, parents, faculty, and administration as a leader committed to our educational community."  Ivan prides himself on being accessible, collaborative, and student centered. His primary goal for NUSD is to ensure that all students have equitable opportunities. Ivan is married and has three boys. He intends to move to Novato and enroll his boys in Novato schools.
 
Please join me in welcoming Ivan to this important role. Ivan will officially start on July 1, however, he will likely work at least a few days in advance of that to make sure he is ready to hit the ground running.
 
Assistant Principal, Novato High School:  After a thorough selection process that included an interview, a writing sample, a simulated meeting, and extensive reference checking, I am pleased to announce the selection of Gregory Fister as the new Assistant Principal at Novato High School.
 
Gregory has most recently served as the Dean of Students at Clayton Valley Charter High School. Prior to serving as Dean of Students, Gregory taught for ten years. He has taught physical education and fitness/weight training in Vallejo and Mt. Diablo. He has also served as the head coach for varsity soccer and cross country. Gregory has extensive experience supporting student behavior and athletics. Some quotes from the reference check process on Gregory include, "Great rapport with students and parents." "Very organized, meticulous."  "Extremely hard worker, not afraid to put the time in."  "Great attention to detail." "Greg is very humble, and is always willing to listen and get feedback from colleagues."
 
Please join me in welcoming Gregory to NUSD and Novato High School. Gregory will start working with NUSD in August.

 
Jim Hogeboom