In lieu of Dr. Camille Casteel’s retirement as the Chandler Unified School District’s superintendent, a position that she has held for the last 25 years, the governing board has selected Frank Narducci, the current assistant superintendent, to fill the vacancy. Narducci will spend one year in the position while the board looks out of state for a permanent replacement. 

In the meantime, The Precedent sat down with Narducci to discuss his plans for next school year, as the pandemic numbers flatten out and restrictions are loosened across the state.

ANNA MYERS: How are you planning on leading the district as we begin to transition out of the pandemic?

FRANK NARDUCCI: We will focus on student, staff, and community needs as we transition to a new school year.  This will be key since COVID-19 spread has reduced in cases but the fact that we still have cases will need to be factored into our reopening plans.  In addition, we will focus on the Social Emotional needs of our student, staff and administration as this has been a difficult and different year for everyone. We also will prioritize ways that we can assist our students that may have experienced learning loss.

AM: I also know that the district has been focusing a lot on providing technology, like new laptops, to the campuses, is that a priority for you as well?

FN: Yes this will be a continued focus to evaluate and provide. We will also increase professional development in the area of digital learning and use of technology as a tool. 

AM: I was also curious about the process for choosing an interim superintendent.

FN: The Governing Board does the search and makes the determination through an interview process.

AM: There was a board meeting where the members discussed the legal process, but it was private for legal reasons according to [board president, Barb Mozdzen]. Now that the board has made their decision public, I was hoping to learn what the process looks like.

FN: Some of the initial discussions regarding candidates are held in executive session.  Candidates have to sign an agreement that aspects of their candidacy may be discussed by the Governing Board Members.  This process is guided by legal counsel.  These are called executive sessions and are a natural space for Board Members to speak as a group about private matters as they relate to the district, personnel, or students. 

Narducci lastly commented that he is “excited to serve the district and community in this new capacity.”

Narducci has 38 years of experience in education, 25 of which have been spent as an administrator in CUSD. In 2011, he became the assistant superintendent to Dr. Camille Casteel and a member of her executive team. According to the governing board’s released statement, Narducci “has a wide range of expertise related to curriculum, instruction, business, and program development.”

In the past five years, the board has had a fixed focus on equity, students’ mental health, and providing campuses with technology. Administration has also been concentrating on expanding the district, with two new high schools and multiple new elementary schools opening up in the last ten years. Narducci seems to have similar priorities for the district, and will focus on these goals.