The election for AASA president will be contested during the next three weeks by a pair of veteran school system leaders in Arizona and New York.
The candidates for president-elect are Kristi Sandvik, superintendent since 2013 of the Buckeye Elementary School District in Buckeye, Ariz., and L. Oliver Robinson, superintendent since 2005 in the Shenendehowa Central School District in Clifton Park, N.Y.
The two will promote their candidacies from the AASA conference’s 2nd General Session stage at 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 15. They also will field questions from conference attendees during a candidates forum at 11:15 a.m. the same day in room 512 of the convention center in Los Angeles.
Ballots will be distributed electronically to AASA members beginning on the morning of Feb. 15. All votes must be cast by 11:59 p.m. on March 8.
The leading vote getter will serve as AASA president-elect beginning in July through June 2020, then serve the following 12 months as the association’s president.
Mini-profile of Sandvik: AASA member since 2010; AASA Governing Board Member, 2014-2016; AASA Executive Committee member, 2016-2019; Arizona Association of School Administrators, 2010- present; previously assistant superintendent, Buckeye Elementary School District, 2010-2013. Postsecondary degrees: Ed. D., George Fox University, Newberg, Ore.; M.S., Portland State University, Portland, Ore.; and B.S., Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Mini-profile of Robinson: AASA member since 2001; AASA Governing Board, 2010-2016; New York State Council of School Superintendents, 2001-present, president 2009-10; previously superintendent, Mohonasen Central School District, Rotterdam, N.Y., 2001-2005. Postsecondary degrees: Ph.D., State University of New York at Albany, Albany, N.Y.; M.S., State University of New York at Albany; and B.A., Brown University, Providence, R.I.
Sandvik on her No. 1 priority for AASA: “My main priority as president-elect will be to help grow the talent of leaders both occupying our current public schools as superintendents and those aspiring to the office. Leaders matter, and those who inspire and empower others to ensure public school success must be celebrated and afforded the opportunity to lead.”
Robinson on his No. 1 priority for AASA: “A key focus of my leadership will be on equity in outcomes. I will endeavor to use the voice of the position to help foster school and community cultures that support engagement and high performance for all students. Diversity and inclusivity will be my number one priority.”
(Jay Goldman is editor of AASA’s School Administrator magazine.)