Hiring of new school chief could be official this week

Tim Foist could officially become superintendent of Yuma's high school district as soon as Tuesday if his contract is ready for approval by the district governing board.

A special meeting of the Yuma Union High School District board has been set for noon that day in anticipation that contract negotiations will be wrapped up successfully by then, retiring Superintendent Gus Headington said.

Foist's contract is subject to final approval by the board. Tuesday's board meeting will take place in the district board room, 3150 S. Avenue A, and is open to the public.

Headington said Friday afternoon contract talks were still under way between two board members and Foist, who is superintendent of the Holbrook Unified School District.

Earlier this month, the board voted to offer Foist the position of superintendent, pending contract negotiations. Bob Klee, an assistant superintendent of the Crane School District, also was a finalist for the position.

As head of the Holbrook district, Foist oversees a school system consisting of a high school, junior high school, four elementary schools and an alternative school.

Foist is scheduled to take over as superintendent July 1, the start of the district's 2004-05 fiscal year.

Headington is leaving his position at the end of this year. He joined the district in 2001 as the interim superintendent and and was appointed to the post permanently the following year.