• Submit Your Event
  • Advertise with Us
  • Sign Up for Our E-Newsletter
  • Business Directory
  • Photo Gallery
digg
facebook
flickr
linkedin
rss
stumble-upon
twitter
youtube
google_plus
email
  • Events Calendar
    • Live Entertainment Calendar
  • Local Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • Community Events
    • Organizations
    • Religion
    • Politics
    • Education
      • Arizona State University
    • Hair
    • Youth
    • Health
    • Food & Drink
    • Dating & Relationships
    • News & Media
    • Opinion
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Comedy
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightclubs
    • Spoken Word
    • Sports
    • PhxSoul Photo Gallery
    • PhxSoul.TV Videos
  • Featured Events
  • Business Directory
    • Business
      • Careers
      • Marketing & Sales
      • Retail
  • Are You New to Phoenix?
    • Travel
  • More
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Submit Your Event
    • Advertise with Us
    • Sign Up for Our E-Newsletter
LATEST EVENTS
AZ Men’s Health & Wellness Initiative Seminar on February 27 – Virtual Event
Tempe Appoints Jeff Glover as Interim Police Chief
GAP Academy Saturday Virtual Tutoring until May 2021
Chandler Makes History, Elects 2 Black Newcomers to Fill City Council Seats
PhxSoul.com Recognized by The Arizona Informant, Roc Nation
PhxSoul Participates in Arizona’s Family Town Hall
Witness Emerges for Dion Johnson Shooting in Phoenix
Dion Johnson’s Shooting Death by Arizona DPS Leaves Many Broken Hearts, Unanswered Questions
Local Black Candidates Make Big Gains in Arizona 2018 Elections
PhxSoul.com Launches NEW Business Directory
Jubeelieve Indoor Playland in Avondale – Fun for Younger Children
Phoenix Couple Aims to Establish Center for Women Experiencing Homelessness, Domestic Violence
Four Effective Tips to Ensure an Outstanding Customer Experience
West Valley Arts Presents Imprint: African Americans in the Arts in Surprise on January 22-March 5
A Conversation with Colson Whitehead and Solmaz Sharif Presented by ASU on January 27
Jack and Jill Sun Valley Chapter Presents Michelin Chef Experience: Valentine’s Day Edition for 2 on February 11
$5 Million Award Will Help Chicanos Por La Causa Invest in Underrepresented Communities of Color
Black History Event at AFRI-Soul Marketplace in Downtown Phoenix on February 20
Delta Sigma Theta Offering Scholarships for Arizona Students – Application Deadline is February 28
SOULful Nightlife for Grown Folk in the Phoenix Area

Balsz Elementary School District in Phoenix Hires Dr. Arleen M. Kennedy as Superintendent

Posted On 20 May 2020
By : Tremaine Jasper
Comment: 0
Tag: Education, school

The Balsz Elementary School District Governing Board is excited to announce the selection of Dr. Arleen M. Kennedy as the newest Superintendent. Dr. Kennedy will replace retiring Superintendent Jeff Smith effective July 1.

Dr. Arleen M. KennedyDr. Kennedy comes to Balsz from the St. David Unified School District in St. David, AZ where she served as Superintendent from July 2018 to present. Kennedy also served as a principal and supervisor in New Orleans, Louisiana; leading her students, families and faculty through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina— one of the most devastating natural disasters in the region, leaving more than one million families displaced. Kennedy has been hailed by National Geographic as an innovative school leader driving strong academic achievement.

With more than 25 years’ experience as an educator and school administrator in Maryland, Louisiana, South Carolina and Arizona, Dr. Kennedy brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in equity and urban leadership, which Balsz notes will be instrumental in closing the District’s achievement gap. Kennedy holds a Doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland; a Master in Arts in Teaching from the Citadel in South Carolina; a second Masters in Educational Administration from Charleston Southern University; and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from South Carolina State University.

After a very competitive selection process, with more than 63 applicants, Kennedy was selected. The Board conducted an on-line survey and held focus groups involving staff, parents, students and community leaders to gather input regarding the qualities that the community would like to see in the new Superintendent. With assistance of the Ray & Associates Superintendent Search Firm, the Board narrowed the candidate pool from 63 to the top 10 and from there to the top two (2) finalists. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all interviews were conducted via Zoom technology to promote and allow maximum community participation and engagement.

“After reviewing a number of well qualified applicants for the Balsz Superintendent position, Dr. Kennedy was a clear choice hands down. The Board is elated! She comes highly recommended and is uniquely qualified to galvanize and lead the District through the pandemic—unifying our immigrant, refugee, homeless and other marginalized students and families, and supporting the work and vision of our outstanding teachers and principals,” says Channel Powe, Governing Board President.

“I am deeply honored to be selected as the new Superintendent of the Balsz School District. As the District prepares to navigate through the greatest challenges of COVID-19, it will be critically important that we foster principles of safety, health and well-being for each of our students, families, and faculty. Students will need our guidance reintegrating into their studies and families will require support, resources and services to access food/nutrition, technology, stable housing, etc. Our goal is to address the needs of the whole child which national data suggests creates educational equity and moves us closer toward closing the achievement gap. My work requires the full support of the entire Balsz family and community to ensure every student is on track to becoming their best self—breathing true life into the slogan “Believing in Balsz.”

About the Author
  • google-share
Previous Event

CoronaVirus’ Impact on the Real Estate Market

Next Event

Dion Johnson’s Shooting Death by Arizona DPS Leaves Many Broken Hearts, Unanswered Questions

Related Events

GAP Academy
0

GAP Academy Saturday Virtual Tutoring until May 2021

Posted On 29 Aug 2020
, By Tremaine Jasper
George Gervin Prep Academy
0

George Gervin Prep Academy (GGPA) in South Phoenix Recruiting K-8 Students

Posted On 26 Aug 2020
, By Tremaine Jasper
Andre’ Ponder
0

Ponder Named as Superintendent of Red Mesa Unified School District #27

Posted On 01 Jul 2020
, By Tremaine Jasper

Find Something Specific

Black History Month

Black History Month Events in Phoenix
Find Black History Month 2021 events happening in the Phoenix metropolitan area!

Business Directory

Business Directory

Shop at Amazon

Buy Face Masks Here
As an Amazon Associate, PhxSoul.com earns from qualifying purchases

Donate to PhxSoul.com

It costs A LOT of money each month to keep PhxSoul.com in operation! Please show that you appreciate what PhxSoul.com does for the community by making a small donation toward our business expenses! Donations will be applied to monthly costs for Web hosting, the email newsletter tool, and exciting new VIDEO projects! Click here to donate online!


Copyright 2006-2020 PhxSoul.com. All Rights Reserved. View our Privacy Policy and Legal Disclaimer.