Newly named FW leader outlines his plans

At its Jan. 22 governing board meeting, the district appointed Assistant Superintendent David Baker to replace current Superintendent Nicholas Clement, who will retire June 30. Baker will take over July 1.

Baker, 45, has worked for the district since 1991, when he started as a fourth-grade teacher at Centennial Elementary School. He was assistant principal at Flowing Wells Junior High School and principal at Mesa Verde Elementary School in the Amphitheater district. He has been assistant superintendent at Flowing Wells since 2002.

Baker lives with his wife, Maura, who teaches kindergarten in the Catalina Foothills District, and their children, 15-year-old Payton and 13-year-old Tressa, who both attend Foothills schools.

Baker spoke with the Star about his plans for the job and the district.

How long have you wanted this job?

I've been assistant superintendent for 10 years now. It certainly was a position that was interesting to me, and I was hopeful the opportunity would come to me.

Is there a particular educational issue on which you're focused?

What I'm really focused on has been spending a lot of my time in teaching and learning. Looking at the relationship of how instruction is delivered and how to measure that with student achievement. I'll spend a lot of time on curriculum and assessment and trying to become more effective at determining professional development needs of staff, measuring not through teachers' actions but through student achievement and future performance.

How do you feel about the shape in which Clement is leaving the district?

Dr. Clement is leaving the district in a positive situation. There's a climate of commitment and engaging in the community with after-school programs, partnerships and collaborations that will really bridge many of the challenges the schools face.

What will you do to distinguish Flowing Wells schools from charters that compete for students?

There are a number of charter schools, even within the district boundaries. We're very aware the community has a choice of where to send their kids to school. We want to earn their trust, and do that through creating very safe schools and providing a variety of opportunities to participate in fine arts, athletics and even academic competitions.

How do you plan to tackle budgetary problems and lack of funding from the state Legislature?

We're really fortunate that our community provides additional resources. The passage of budget overrides and school bonds meets some of our needs. Their support is critical for us to continue forward. The challenge with the state budget is that it's very inconsistent. There are a lot of variables right now, in terms of dollars allocated to schools. It's a difficult situation for planning.

How do you want teachers to feel working in the district?

I want teachers in Flowing Wells to feel support from administration. I want them to feel committed to their own personal learning and professional development. I want them to feel valued through a competitive salary and benefits scale, then focused on the most important aspect of their work, in the classroom.

What roles will you take on in the new job?

I'll be more engaged in community events - really working on keeping partnerships with our district and looking for potential additional resources to meet needs in the district. I see myself out in the community quite a bit.

How will your interactivity with students change?

I think it will stay very similar. I'm not directly involved with students often. I do serve lunch duty on the high school campus. My office is on the high school campus. I want to be visible. Attend functions and the student of the month luncheon. On the elementary and middle school level, I visit classrooms.

Does getting your feet on the ground put you more in touch with what's going on?

By being part of it I can ask better questions and help provide resources where teachers and students need them. I can talk about specific situations, and not talk about it philosophically, but pragmatically.

Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com