Dysart superintendent honored

Dysart Superintendent Gail Pletnick has been awarded the Arizona North Central Association's Circle of Excellence Award for her leadership in the district's quest for academic excellence and school improvement.

The association has awarded its highest honor, the Circle of Excellence Award, to Arizona educators since 1996. This award is given to individuals who have been unceasing in their quest for school improvement.

Through Pletnick's leadership, the district has seen a substantial and impressive gain in academic achievement as measured through the state AIMS and national TerraNova assessments.

Additionally, Dysart school profile labels, measured by the Arizona Learns State Accountability Program, have increased each of the past few years. Last year, Dysart saw four schools achieve the "highly performing" state label for the first time in district history.

Dysart's superintendent credits the district's success to the dedicated members of the Dysart School District community.

10 administrators hired

The Dysart Unified School District announced the hiring of new administrators for the 2008-09 school year.

Dysart's governing board has approved the appointments of William Roach as assistant superintendent for human resources, Cindy Shepard-Mady as Marley Park Elementary School principal, and Fran Sperling as Thompson Ranch Elementary School principal.

Additionally, the board has approved the appointments of new K-8 assistant principals: April Castillo, Canyon Ridge; Karen LaBovick, Dysart; Jennifer Auch, El Mirage; Christopher Kibsey, Kingswood; Amanda Jelleson, Surprise; Linda Shaw, Thompson Ranch; and Lynn Logue, West Point.

Board meeting Wednesday

Dysart Unified School District's next governing board meeting is Wednesday at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Dysart Education Center, 15802 N. Parkview Place, in Surprise. Visit www.dysart.org or call 623-876-7000 for details.