Stiffler named new district superintendent

The Yuma Elementary School District 1 governing board selected Darwin Stiffler to be the district's new superintendent Tuesday.

The board voted 4-1 for Stiffler, the district's current associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction, to fill the position.

"I'm honored. I'm excited. I'm prepared. Mostly honored and excited that's how I'm feeling. It's tremendous," Stiffler said.

Stiffler's term will start in July after Superintendent Tom Rushin retires at the end of June.

Two other candidates were interviewed for the position: Douglas Rutan, superintendent at Somerton Elementary School District, and Kim Randall, a superintendent from Sedona.

Board president Greg Wilkinson said the other two candidates were superb people. "It was a very tough decision. But we felt Darwin was going to be the best fit for us and we think he can bring our district to the next level."

Stiffler said he will keep on the same track the district is headed and sees no big changes.

Stiffler has been working in the district for six years. In that time, "I've fallen in love with this district and the people."

He said he looks forward to keeping the district progressing, supporting staff, applying resources and fully engaging with the community.

According to The Sun archives, Stiffler was named Yuma County Teacher of the Year in 1992. He was later assistant principal at Crane Middle School and shortly after promoted to director of curriculum for the Crane Elementary School District.

He was also principal at Centennial Middle School. In 2002, he served as director of professional development at District 1.

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Juana M. Gyek can be reached at jgyek@yumasun.com or 539-6872.