DR. GARY W. NORRIS
Personal Data:
Home Address/Phone Number:1628 Dakota Dr.
Waterloo, IA
(319) 215-3524
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Business Address/Phone Number:Waterloo Community Schools
1516 Washington Street
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1800 Ext. 10174 Office
(319) 215-7040 Cell
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Birthdate:November 28, 1950
Marital Status:35 years
Spouse's Name:Julie, Age 56
Children:Nathan, Age 30
Natalie, Age 27
Hobbies: Construction (Remodeling), Photography,
Church Music, Bicycling, Golf and Skiing
Educational and Professional Training:
Kansas State Univ.Manhattan, KSPh.D. Ed. Adm.1983
Kansas State Univ.Manhattan, KSM.S. Ed.Adm.1977
BethanyCollegeLindsborg, KSB.A. Music1972
Junction City H.S.Junction City, KSDiploma 1968
Teaching and Administrative Experience:
#Students
2008-PresentSuperintendent of SchoolsWaterloo Community 10,800
Schools, Waterloo, IA
2004 – 2008 4Superintendent of SchoolsSchool Board of Sarasota 42,000
County, Sarasota, FL
1994 – 2004 10Superintendent of Schools Salina Public Schools 7,500
USD #305, Salina, KS
1989 – 1994 5Superintendent of SchoolsIndian River County 12,000
Vero Beach, FL
1985 – 1989 4Superintendent of SchoolsISD #701, Hibbing, MN 4,500
1982 – 1985 3Superintendent of SchoolsUSD #507, Satanta, KS 450
1979 – 1982 3Asst.High School PrincipalUSD #475 Junction City, KS
1978 – 1979 1High School PrincipalUSD #329, Alma, KS
1976 – 1978 2Choral Music TeacherR-II Sch., Chillicothe, MO
1973 – 1976 3Vocal Music TeacherUSD #434, Overbrook, KS
1972 – 1973 1Vocal Music TeacherUSD #271, Stockton, KS
Confidential Papers:
Career and Employment Services
100 Holtz Hall
Manhattan, Kansas66506-1701
(785) 532-6506
Current Professional Affiliations:
American Association of School Administrators1982 – Present
Association for Supervision & Curriculum
Development1982 – Present
Florida Association of DistrictSchool Superintendents1989 – 94, 2004 – Present
Mid America Association for School Superintendents1995 – Present
Kansas Association of School Administrators1982 – 85, 1994 – 2004
National Alliance of Business1997 – 2004
United School Administrators of Kansas1982 – 85, 1994 – 2004
Professional Work/University Level:
Taught EDADL 830, Educational Facility Planning, 3 hour course, 2002 and 2003,
for KansasStateUniversity, Manhattan, KS
Developed a Master’s Degree Program for training principals in concert with
U.S.D. #475, U.S.D. #383, and KansasStateUniversity
Taught Graduate Level Administration Seminars for the Ed. Leadership Department
Ft. Hays University, KS
Served on a Continuing Education Needs Assessment Committee for
Ft. Hays University, KS
Appointed to serve as the K-12 representative on the board charged with the accreditation of Colleges and Universities for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Guest Speaker at Numerous Graduate Level Classes in areas such as: Selection of School Personnel, School Administration, Site Based Management, Technology Leadership for Administrators, and Educational Leadership. This was for numerous university professors at Ft.HaysUniversity, Hays, KS, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, FloridaAtlanticUniversity, Boca Raton, FL, and KansasStateUniversity, Manhattan, KS
Bond Referendums for New and Renovated Facilities:
1998Salina, KS$98.8 million
1991Vero Beach, FL$61.4 million
1987Hibbing, MN$ 5.4 million
Referendums for Technology and Operating Funds:
2006Operating Budget Enhancement for 4 yrs. $240.0 million
1998Sales Tax for Technology$12.5 million
Other Professional Growth Experiences:
Model Schools Conference—InternationalCenter for
Leadership in Education
Orlando, FL2006
Mid-America Association for School
Superintendents: Regional Conferences2004, 2002, 2001
Multiple Locations2000, 1999, 1997, 1996
NationalAcademy for Superintendents
OhioStateUniversity, Columbus, OH2003
Integration of Academic & Technical Education:
Conferences
Beaver Creek, CO2001, 2000, 1997
Institute for the Development of Educational
Activities: Fellows Program
LawrenceUniversity, Appleton, WI2001, 1995, 1994, 1993,
University of Denver, Denver, CO1990, 1988, 1987, 1986
National School Boards Association: Technology
Seminars
Denver, CO2000
Fort Worth, TX1990
American Association for School Administrators
Century Club
2000, 1996
Kansas Superintendent Leadership Program
Salina, KS1998
Institute for the Development of Educational
Activities:Seminars
Special Seminar for Superintendents1994
Site Based Management, Seattle, WA1989
Congress of Exemplary Superintendents
Phoenix, AZ1993
Center for Creative Leadership: Chief Executive Officer
Leadership Development Program
Greensboro, N.C.1991
SRI Gallup: Teacher Perceiver Academies
Selection of Teachers, Hibbing, MN1987, 1986
American Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development: Seminars
Curriculum Management, Denver, CO1983
Teacher Evaluation, Dallas, TX1980
Community Involvement:
. . . . in Sarasota, FL:
Sarasota Baptist Church2006 - Present
Soloist
United Way of Sarasota County2006 - Present
Board of Directors
Education Division Campaign Chair
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce2004 - Present
Board of Directors
Enzyme Community Leaders2004 - Present
Member
. . . . in Salina, KS:
Salina Community Roundtable (Community CEO’s)1997 - 2004
Steering Committee
FirstNazareneChurch1994 - 2004
Worship Leader
Soloist
Assistant Choral Director
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce1994 - 2004
Ex-Officio Board Member
Executive Committee
Salina Rotary Club1994 - 2004
Board of Directors
Secretary
Vice President
President
Salina Area United Way 1994 - 2001
Board of Directors
Strategic Planning Committee
Planning and Allocations Committee
President
Campaign Chairman
Coronado Area Boy Scout Council1995 - 1998
. . . . in Vero Beach, FL:
Academy of Entrepreneurship1992 - 1994
Board of Directors
Rotary Club1989 - 1994
Sargent of Arms
Board of Directors
President Elect
FirstChurch of God 1989 - 1994
Board of Elders
Soloist and Music Leader
Sunday School Teacher
Indian River CountyChamber of Commerce1989 - 1993
Board of Directors
Council of 100
Education Committee
Junior Achievement
Board of Directors1991 - 1992
United Way of Indian RiverCounty1991 - 1992
Co-Chairman Public Service Division
References:
. . . . . fromSarasota, Florida:
Dr. Wayne Blanton, Executive Director, Florida School Boards Association,
Tallahassee, FL (904) 224-1374
Mrs. Shirley Brown, Member, School Board of SarasotaCounty, Sarasota, FL
(941) 684-0344 (941) 724-1895 (mobile) <>
Mr. Tim Dutton, Executive Director, S.C.O.P.E. Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence, Sarasota, FL (941) 365-8751 <>
Rev. Gregory Harris, Pastor, TruevineMissionaryBaptistChurch, Sarasota, FL
(941) 355-4417 office (941) 587-6661 (mobile)
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Mr. Trevor Harvey, President,Sarasota Branch of the NAACP, Sarasota, FL
(941) 355-2097 office (941) 374-1054(mobile)
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Ms. Debra Jacobs, President and CEO, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Sarasota, FL (941) 957-0442 <>
Dr. Ed James, President, Coalition of African American Leadership, Sarasota, FL
(941) 504-3900 (mobile) 941-923-8840 (work)
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Dr. Kathy Kleinlein, Former Chairman, School Board of SarasotaCounty, Sarasota, FL
(941) 475-0008 (941) 484-9543 ext. 3039 (work) <>
Mr. Jim Ley,CountyAdministrator, Sarasota County, FL
(941) 861-5111 <>
Dr. Sarah Pappas, President, ManateeCommunity College, Bradenton, FL
(941) 752-5000 <>
Mr. Steve Queior, President CEO, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota, FL
(941) 955-2508 <>
Mr. Stewart Sterns, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Sarasota, Fl (941) 556-7112 <>
Dr. Laurey Stryker,Former Vice President and Campus CEO, University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee Campus (941) 360-3858 <
Dr. Larry Thompson, President, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
(941) 351-5100 (work) <>
Mr. Carl Weinrich, President and CEO, Sarasota YMCA, Sarasota, FL
(941) 951-2916 ext. 1015 <>
. . . . . fromSalina, Kansas:
Mr. Richard Brake, Former President, Board of Education, Salina, KS
(785) 825-9507 (785) 827-3695 (work)
Mrs. Connie Burkett, Arts Association Director andCo-Chairman of Creating the Future
Long-Range Planning Leadership Team, Salina, KS (785) 823-3570
Mrs. Ruth Cathcart-Rake, Former President, Board of Education, Salina, KS
(785) 825-7576
Mr. Gerald Cook, President, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, Salina, KS
(785) 827-9301
Mr. John Jones, Certified Financial Planner and Co-Chairman of Creating the Future
Long-Range Planning Leadership Team, Salina, KS (785) 825-6169
(785) 823-6870 (work)
Mr. Dennis Kissinger, Former City Manager, City of Salina, Salina, KS
(785) 825-4847
Dr. John Koepke, Executive Director, Kansas Association of School Boards,
Topeka, KS(800) 432-2471
Dr. Jerry Lundgrin, Former President, Board of Education, Salina, KS
(785) 827-5363 (home) (785) 825-5473 (work)
Mr. Doug Mull, Former President, Board of Education, Salina, KS
(785) 825-5336 (home) (785) 827-0433 (work)
Mrs. Linda Smith, Former President, Board of Education, Salina, KS
(785) 825-1404
Dr. Marshall Stanton, Former President, KansasWesleyanUniversity, Salina, KS
(785) 823-1341
Dr. Andy Tompkins, Former Commissioner, Kansas State Department of Education,
Topeka, KS.Currently Associate Professor at the University of Kansas
(785) 864-9647
. . . . . fromIndian River County, Florida:
Dr. Wayne Blanton, Executive Director, Florida School Boards Association,
Tallahassee, FL (904) 224-1374
Mr. Joe Idlette, Jr., Former Board Member, Indian RiverCountySchool Board
Vero Beach, FL (772) 562-6656
Mr. Gary Lindsey, Former Chairman, Indian RiverCountySchool Board
Vero Beach, FL (772) 567-1488
Dr. Edwin Massey,President, Indian RiverCommunity College
Ft. Pierce, FL (772) 468-4701
Mr. Stan Mayfield, Former Board Member, Indian River County School Board, Currently member of the Florida House, Vero Beach, FL (772) 234-6323
(772) 778-5077 (work)
Mr. J.B. Norton, Former Executive Vice President, Indian River CountyChamber of
Commerce, Vero Beach, FL (772) 567-3491
Mr. John Schumann, Publisher, Vero Beach Press Journal, Vero Beach, FL
(772) 562-2315
Mr. Gene Waddell, Former Chairman, Indian RiverCountySchool Board
Vero Beach, FL (772) 231-2828 (772) 567-4001
. . . . . fromKansas State University, Kansas:
Dr. Mary Devin, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Administration and Leadership, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (785) 532-5669 <>
Dr. Michael Holen, Dean, College of Education, Kansas State University,
Manhattan, KS (785) 532-5525 <>
Dr. G. Kent Stewart, Retired Professor, Department of Educational Administration and Leadership, KansasStateUniversity, Manhattan, KS (785) 539-2663
Dr. David Thompson, Chair, Department of Educational Administration and Leadership,
KansasStateUniversity, Manhattan, KS (785) 532-5543
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Dr. Alfred P. Wilson, Retired Professor, Department of Educational Administration and LeadershipKansasStateUniversity, Manhattan, KS (785) 532-5543
Presentations, Publications, and Distinctions:
Presentations
“Roles and Relationships of Non-Profit Boards”
Presentation to Salina Area United Way Board Training Session,
Salina, KS, February 1999
“Professional Growth Opportunities for Superintendents”
Presentation to Kansas Association of School Administrator’s New Superintendent’s
Workshop, Topeka, KS, June 1998
“So You Want To Be A Superintendent”
Presentation to United School Administrators Aspiring Superintendent’s Academy,
Lawrence, KS, June 1997
“Performance Based Diploma Program”
Presentation to KansasState Board of Education,
Topeka, KS, April 1997
“School To Career Changes in U.S.D. #305”
Presentation to United School Administrators Regional Meeting,
Salina, KS, August 1997
"The 81% Solution"
Presentation to the Florida Education Association United Annual Conference,
Tampa, FL, October 1993
"The Performance Based Diploma Program"
Presentation to the National School Boards Association Annual Convention,
Orlando, FL, April 1992
"School Choice"
Mini-Session Presentation to the Florida School Boards Association,
45th Annual Joint Conference, Tampa, FL, December 1990
"Successful Hiring Practices In Educational Institutions."
Presentation to the Minnesota School Boards Association Convention,
St. Paul, MN, January 1989
"Board and Superintendent Relations."
Presentation to the MinnesotaSchoolBoardsAssociationState Convention,
Minneapolis, MN, January 1988
"The Dynamics of Team Administration."
Presentation to the American Association of School Administrators National Convention,
San Francisco, CA, February 1986
"The Most Vital Area of Communications in Your School District -
The School Board/Superintendent Relationship."
Presentation to the KansasAssociationSchoolBoardsState Convention,
Topeka, KS, November 1985
"Negotiations Using a Mini-Computer." And "The State of Negotiations in
Unified School District #507." Presentation to United School Administrators
Annual Convention, Wichita, KS, January and February, 1984and the Kansas
Association of Educational Negotiators, Hutchinson, KS, December, 1983
"Why Experienced KansasSchool Administrators Changed Careers."
Presentation to the Kansas Association of School Boards,
Topeka, KS, November, 1983.
"How to Land that all Important Administrative Position."
Presentation to the United School Administrators of Kansas Annual Convention,
Wichita, KS, January, 1983.
Publications
Norris, Gary W. and Kissinger, Dennis. “City/School Partnerships--Think Outside The Box,” Kansas Government Journal, June 2000.
Norris, Gary W. "Career Change Determinants Among FormerKansasSchool Administrators: Burnout, Stress and Job Dissatisfaction." Dissertation Abstracts International, 8402073, 1983. (KansasStateUniversity - College of Education).
Norris, Gary W. and Richburg, Robert W. “Teachers: Hiring the Best”, American School Board Journal, November, 1997
Distinctions and Honors:
Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers
Government and Technology Magazine2006
Distinguished Educator Award I/D/E/A2001, 1995, 1994, 1993,
1990, 1988, 1987, 1986
Excellence in Educational Leadership1999
University council for Educational Administration
Outstanding Partnership
TreasureCoast Private Industry Council1994
Community Service Person of the Year
Indian RiverCounty Ministerial
Association - Gifford, FL1991
FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer 1984
Outstanding Young Men in America 1983
KASB Certificate of Excellence for
Newspaper Supplement 1983
Key Professional Accomplishments:
. . . . . in Sarasota, FL (2004-Present):
- Guided the development of a new strategic plan and vision for the district entitled NeXt Generation Learning; designed to enhance career and technical education, increase the graduation rate, close the achievement gap and bring rigor and relevance into classrooms.
- Significantly enhanced the professional development of instructional employees by incorporating time for common collaborative planning into the instructional week and expanding professional development by 30 hours for each faculty member during the school year.
- Increased the ability of the teachers to design and deliver appropriately aligned instructional units by increasing their opportunities to use data to inform instruction. The district hired reading coaches, data coaches, and purchased a sophisticated technology-based student assessment and planning tool from Princeton Review.
- Lengthened the student instructional day by 30 minutes per day which added the equivalent of 15 days to the school year.
- Guided the district in the successful continuation of a 1 mill operating tax (approximately 14% of the annual operating budget) to enhance the operating budget by $ 60 million per year for a period of four years. The initiative passed by 61% of voters.
- Enhanced leadership development in the district by incorporating monthly instructionally focused professional development sessions for principals and assistant principals, a summer leadership institute for all administrators, an aspiring leaders academy, support for new leaders through retired mentors and a leadership development program for administrators in training. All principals have beentrained in a classroom walkthrough visit protocol and currently collect observational data on their personal BlackBerry device.
- Developed organizational excellence measurements and benchmarks to promote outstanding customer service.
- Enhanced career and technical education in the district by creating a district CTE department and aligning existing singleton courses into 54 completer sequences. Further aligned high school smaller learning communities with career clusters and relocated CTE classrooms so that their physical location was within the SLCs. Renovated older high school vocational labs into state-of-the-art CTE facilities with appropriate technology.
- Completed master planning of the new “SarasotaTechnicalCenter” and began construction on phase one: the NorthCountyTechnicalHigh School to open in August 2008. After three phases, the “TechnicalCenter” will be complete in August 2010.
- Significantly improved instructional technology tools through the development of a unique partnership with SarasotaCounty including a shared Chief Information Officer, a shared community fiber optic network, standardization of technology platforms to increase purchasing power, and the use of instructional technology coaches. Each teacher has a high performance laptop computer and is receiving professional development on Angel Learning Suite, a software package that facilitates teaching, learning and assessment for teachers and their students. In addition, using Safari Montage, teachers have thousands of video clips available at their fingertips by searching state standards and district benchmarks. The project has received national recognition.
- To enhance student engagement, we installed 3000 Promethean Activboard+2 units in all classrooms in the school system. SarasotaCounty became largest school district in the nation to make this investment in each classroom. This installation was followed by professional development in daily lesson design and the integration of technology.
- Encouraged financial stewardship through the standardization of furnishings and equipment in new and renovated facilities and unique partnerships with SarasotaCounty Government.
- Promoted appropriate long-range planning in the district in the purchase of school sites, school facility planning, education specifications, school concurrency, and strong relationships with other jurisdictions.
- Enhanced campus security on secondary campuses by establishing a new position--campus security monitors, providing appropriate security training for the monitors and electronic sexual predator screening for all campus visitors.
- Significantly improved teacher’s salaries and benefits by 25% in a three year period. In exchange, taxpayers received a 30 minute longer day, and enhanced professional development for instructional employees.
- Guided the district in the implementation of a Performance Based Diploma Program at every comprehensive high school designed to assist at-risk high school students achieve a standard diploma and a career-focused skill. The program includes a self-paced, computer-based curriculum, a group counseling component, a mentor, and completion of a Career Technical Education sequence of courses.
. . . . . in Salina, KS (1994-2004):
- Facilitated ‘Creating the Future” a long range strategic planning process involving over 800 citizens from our community
- Provided support and training for the expansion of our community volunteers and partners program
- Provided leadership for the necessary transformation of our system of education with the “smaller learning communities” initiative
- Established an “Interest Based” or “Win-Win” approach to bargaining
- Provided an atmosphere for risk taking and creative approaches for educational solutions
- Guided the district and community in the successful passage of a $98.8 million facilities bond referendum and $12.5 million sales tax for technology
- Facilitated the development of a number of safe, drug-free, no-tolerance school initiatives
- Facilitated the development of a comprehensive legislative program and legislative coalition
- Organized and developed the ProfessionalAdministrativeLeadershipAcademy for aspiring principals
- Facilitated the development of several innovative at risk initiatives
- Facilitated the development of a major academic focus initiative which yielded a number of significant improvements
- Facilitated the expansion of a comprehensive district assessment program
. . . . . in Vero Beach, FL (1989-1994):
- Successfully guided the schools through an intensive one-year effort to inform the public on the need for additional educational facilities
- Designed and implemented a community/business involvement program
- Developed a comprehensive facilities improvement program
- Facilitated the unification of the school district following a period of turmoil
- Directed a concentrated effort to improve employee morale
- Expanded needed services for our exceptional student population
- Provided leadership to change the educational delivery system from highly centralized top-down management to site-based decision making
- Guided the district through a devastating, recessionary economy
- Successfully opened Osceola Math and ScienceMagnet School
- Facilitated the development of a major five-year planning initiative, which committed 5 million dollars to instructional technology purchases
- In conjunction with Indian RiverCommunity College, facilitated the implementation of the QuadCounty Tech Prep program
- Collaborated on the development of THE INDIAN RIVER IDEA: This true systemic reform gained national attention and was featured in a commentary in the January 26, 1994 issue of Education Week.
- Worked collaboratively to develop two effective and unique programs: (a) The Indian River CountyEducation Foundation, and (b) Academy of Entrepreneurship
. . . . . in Hibbing, MN (1985-1989):
- Facilitated development of a massive staff-development and revitalization program
- Implemented a rigorous teacher recruiting and selection process
- Organized and implemented an internal and external school public relations plan
- Provided district support for the individual "Minnesota Educational Effectiveness Teams"
- Drastically improved labor relations in a traditionally unionized area
- Assisted the Hibbing Chemical Advisory Board in their attempts to reduce the amount of teen-age drinking and substance abuse in the community
- Facilitated the implementation of an administrative and teacher performance evaluation system.
- Successfully guided the district in passing a 5.4 million dollar facilities referendum
- Organized and developed a system of long-range goals and objectives coupled with maintenance/equipment/and facilities expenditures
- Implemented the first long-range master facilities plan for Hibbing Technical Institute
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