John Dash, lead associate for Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), opened the Chandler Unified School District superintendent search community forum and described how the firm will collect and use public input as part of a four‑phase search process.

"My name is John Dash, and I'm the lead associate for this particular search, as part of the Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates team," Dash said, explaining that HYA will compile a leadership profile report from focus groups and surveys to guide the board's screening and interview work.

Parents and residents who spoke at the forum praised multiple district strengths, including program variety and staff accessibility. Corina, a mother of a kindergarten student, said staff "always have time to answer my questions" and noted that her daughter’s individualized education plan (IEP) team communicates well. Other commenters highlighted career and technical academies, gifted programs and the district’s recently passed bond as assets.

Attendees also identified several challenges they want the next superintendent to address. A recurring concern was the fiscal and enrollment pressure from empowerment scholarship accounts (ESAs). One attendee, speaking about Arizona's ESA program, said the state "is basically paying people to keep their kids at home," and warned that lower enrollment could leave schools underused and districts with fixed facility costs.

Speakers urged attention to academic outcomes, teacher recruitment and retention, and student supports. One parent suggested the district must "focus on their education" and prioritize core academics while ensuring teachers are supported. Multiple speakers also called for a superintendent who is transparent, accessible and willing to "stand up" when difficult issues arise.

Safety and transparency emerged as a separate theme. A participant recounted a local violent incident and criticized what they described as the district’s lack of candor in earlier communications, saying the next superintendent will need "the fortitude and the courage to stand up" and address problems openly.

HYA encouraged broader public participation: organizers noted nearly 2,000 survey responses to date, explained that standardized focus‑group questions are being used to identify themes, and invited community members to submit written comments or questions for finalists. The firm also reminded the public that finalists are expected in the district the week of Jan. 26–30, when the community may have further opportunities to meet candidates.

The forum closed with a request that anyone who missed speaking fill out a survey or submit a comment card. HYA and the board will use the compiled leadership profile and community input to inform candidate screening and interview plans.