During a Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) board meeting in late August, Superintendent Kevin Brown announced there were going to be some noticeable changes coming to the district in December, including a new leader at the helm. 

Brown, 57, who has been with the district for 33 years, announced his retirement at the FUSD board meeting held on Aug. 26th. 

Many people within the district, including Assistant Superintendent Bob Kuhn, had good things to say about Brown’s career.

“Brown’s tenure began by taking over a controversial problem with a predecessor,” Kuhn said. “[He] brought credibility and 30 years of devotion to the district and the students of Flagstaff.”

Brown inherited a troubled legacy left by his predecessor, Larry Bramblett, who resigned in 2003. Bramblett’s resignation came after the school district had been struggling with keeping its finances in line, a story originally released by The Associated Press. According to Kuhn, Brown’s appointment has, in general, meant a new academic direction and a turn-around for the finances of the district.

However, the Arizona Daily Sun reported on Aug. 26 that in 2004, under Brown’s control, the FUSD neglected to place a budget override renewal on the election ballot, which cost the district about $1.8 million in tax collections.

Brown, who held a variety of jobs in the district throughout his years, enjoyed his time as both as a teacher and an administrator, in the classroom and in the office.

“If students who have been taught through my administrative roles have benefited and carried [my teaching] into their lives, then that is probably the biggest success,” Brown said. “That’s why most of us who are in education get into it — to make a positive impact in the lives of students.”

Brown is proud of his work as superintendent because of the change he was able to bring to student learning.

“I’ve enjoyed the responsibility of a number of jobs in the district,” Brown said. “In my current position as superintendent, we’ve been able to help make a cultural shift in our school district to use evidence based on individual student learning for our students, and to me that’s a very big shift.”

In his official statement to the school board, Brown said he was retiring because he felt the district would need a new and younger leader to implement the federal government’s education reforms. 

The reforms to come are listed in the “American Recovery and Re-Investment Act,” commonly known at the most recent “Stimulus Package.” It includes increased investment in elementary and secondary education, along with new guidelines for testing standards and college preparation. 

With that in mind, Brown knows what the governing board is looking for in a new superintendent.

“The district board’s goals right now are oriented towards a more personalized approach to education for every student, and the governing board has indicated that they want to head in that direction,” Brown said. “So finding someone that’s interested in helping to create that type of culture and environment, I think, is good.” 

Kuhn said he thinks someone dynamic is needed to fill the position.

“Personally, I’d like to see someone with vision,” Kuhn said. “School is changing. We need someone to adapt to that change. I’d like to see someone up-front in that area.”

While Brown’s retirement does not go into effect until Dec. 31, Kuhn said the school board might already be searching for candidates.

“The school board is doing a national search,” Kuhn said. “Anytime you look for someone to fill a prominent position, you involve as many local authorities as possible. The board is figuring out what’s best.”

Brown said the governing board has all authority over the selection process.

“That’s the governing board’s work and that’s one of their most important tasks,” Brown said. “I’ll be an interested observer, but I will not be part of the process.”