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Two out-of-state administrators are finalists for the Higley Unified School District superintendency.
The finalists are Mathew Neal, an educational consultant from Woodland Park, Colorado, and Dr. Nate Carman, superintendent of the Socorro Independent School District in El Paso, Texas.
Superintendent candidates will participate in a public forum open to the community at 5 p.m. Feb. 6 at the district office, 2935 S. Recker Road, Gilbert.
Candidates will introduce themselves and answer a selection of questions from the community. Community members may submit questions ahead of the forum here. Those unable to attend the forum may watch it live on the district’s YouTube channel, where it will be available to view after the event as well.
Neal has more than two decades of educational leadership experience in national and international school settings. He most recently served as the transitional superintendent for the Woodland Park School District during the 2021-22 school year.
He also has been superintendent for the American Creativity Academy in Kuwait from 2015 to 2021 and superintendent of the Sweetwater County School District in Wyoming in 2013 and 2014.
Neal also has been appointed by the State of Colorado Board of Education to spearhead school reform and turnaround initiatives on a statewide level.
He has successfully established and overseen the opening of 11 new schools, ranging from traditional district-run schools to alternative pathways such as private schools, charter schools, and independently managed innovation schools.
His focus areas include data-led instructional practices, positive behavior student norms, English language learners instructional practices, staff evaluation and compensation structures, culturally connected teaming, and overall district management policies.
He earned his doctorate in education from the Rossier College of Education at the University of Southern California.
In his current superintendency, which began in March 2022, Carman oversees a district serving more than 47,000 students at 51 campuses.
Prior to joining SISD, he served as superintendent of San Benito Consolidated Independent School District for four years. During his tenure, SBCISD created an early college academy and established three separate elementary academies: STEAM, Fine Arts, and Environmental Academies.
Carman’s first superintendency began in May 2013 in Teague Independent School District.
Carman earned his doctorate in educational administration from the University of North Texas.
He recently was a finalist for superintendent of the Peoria Unified School District, which in November chose Kenneth Somers of Monument, Colorado.
Sherry Richards has been Higley's interim superintendent since Dawn Foley resigned from the position in June.
We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
