Holbrook official offered YUHSD superintendent job

Tim Foist, the superintendent of the school district in Holbrook, Ariz., will become superintendent of the Yuma Union High School District on July 1, pending contract negotiations.

The YUHSD governing board voted 5-0 this week to offer the position to Foist. Two members of the board will be assigned to conduct negotiations with Foist, said current YUHSD Gus Headington, who is retiring at the end of this year.

Foist, superintendent of the Holbrook Unified School District, and Bob Klee, assistant superintendent of the Crane Elementary School District, were finalists for the position.

Foist told The Sun on Thursday he foresees no problems coming to terms with board members and that he is looking forward to coming to Yuma.

"I am personally very excited to come to Yuma," he said. "My wife is excited to come to Yuma."

His wife Nancy is a special education teacher who plans to seek employment in the Yuma-area schools.

Foist said one of the factors that prompted him to apply for the position was the school pride and spirit shown by Yuma-area high school students he had met during a prior visit to Yuma.

"Everyone is positive and you don't find that everywhere," Foist said. "I can tell you if the attitudes of the kids are good, you're way above average."

Foist said he is further impressed by commitment of the governing board and administrators to the needs of principals, teachers and students at each of the high district's schools.

"It sounds like there is a great vision already held by the administration," he said.

Headington said the governing board could meet as early as next week to approve a contract with Foist.