Litchfield board approves new leader evaluation framework; superintendent section deferred

The Litchfield Elementary District Governing Board on Oct. 25 approved a new Litchfield Leader Evaluation Framework and directed staff to continue building the tool in a digital platform, with the superintendent-specific section held out for later board review.

District administrators presented the framework and an implementation timeline that includes building a classified evaluation tool in winter 2025, training on the Litchfield Educator/Leader frameworks in winter–spring 2026, and beginning use of teacher and classified tools in fall 2026. The presenters said the district has started an RFQ (request-for-qualification) process to select the digital platform that will host the evaluation instruments and evidence artifacts.

The board was told the framework is intended to serve three purposes: ‘‘measure growth, develop staff, and hold staff accountable,’’ and to apply across educational and operational leaders. ‘‘A good tool has all 3 components. We need to be able to measure growth, we need to be able to get information to develop our staff, and then we also need a way to hold staff accountable to their roles and responsibilities,’’ a district presenter said.

Administrators described the framework as standards-based and aligned to the district’s vision, mission and the Litchfield learner characteristics (Believe, Belong, Become). Evaluators will rate domains such as communication, character, problem solving and content expertise using a four-point scale aligned to Arizona Department of Education guidance: highly effective, effective, developing and ineffective. Presenters said multiple measures of evidence will be used, including student-growth metrics, observations, stakeholder feedback and uploaded artifacts.

A district official explained the weighting required by Arizona law for educator evaluations: ‘‘Part of Arizona's requirements is a certain percentage of educational leader, principal, or teacher evaluation is 33% to 50% of their evaluation has to come from student outcomes or student growth. This particular indicator is worth 33% of that final score.’’ The remainder of the evaluation would come from other domains; operational leaders (who do not have the same statutory student-outcomes requirement) would be scored on the average of their indicators.

Board members praised the clarity and alignment of the instrument, asked about inter-rater reliability training, and discussed how the superintendent’s goals and evaluation might cascade from the same framework. Board member Michelle Wallace moved to approve ‘‘the new Litchfield Leader Evaluation Framework minus the superintendent section as presented.’’ Board member Michael Owens seconded the motion. The vote was recorded as: Michelle Wallace — yes; Michael Mikes — yes; Michael Owens — yes; President Zaidema — yes. The motion passed unanimously.

Administrators said next steps include completing artifact lists for each descriptor, finishing the RFQ to select a digital platform, running additional evaluator training to build inter-rater reliability, and reconvening the stakeholder committee after the first year to recommend adjustments. The district also said the admin cabinet will be able to access aggregated evaluation data to identify trends and support staff development.

The board deferred the superintendent-specific portion of the evaluation framework to allow full board discussion and separate action on superintendent goals. The administration said the superintendent’s goals are intended to mirror the leader tool where practicable and that the district will return with any recommended changes.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve the new Litchfield Leader Evaluation Framework excluding the superintendent section — mover: Michelle Wallace; seconder: Michael Owens; outcome: approved (unanimous).