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After extended debate, Chandler Unified board chooses modified Google survey for superintendent search
Summary
The Chandler Unified School District governing board voted 3–2 to use a modified Google-format survey as the stakeholder instrument for its superintendent search after prolonged debate over language access, cost and the analytic depth of proprietary survey tools.
The Chandler Unified School District governing board voted 3–2 on Oct. 22 to use a modified Google-format stakeholder survey as the principal instrument for the district’s superintendent search. The decision followed extended discussion about survey design, translation and reach.
Board members and public commenters debated two principal options: HYA’s comprehensive, research‑based proprietary survey and a district-modified Google form. HYA’s package, as presented by HYA associates John Bash and Dr. Christine McDuffie, includes a leadership‑profile instrument that staff and some board members described as “research based” with rating scales and narrative prompts; HYA’s quoted fee included $4,000 to deploy English and Spanish plus $550 for each additional language.
Opponents of the HYA-only option argued the per‑language fees and the district’s linguistic diversity made the HYA option less accessible to families who prefer languages other than English or Spanish. Board members and public commenters noted the district lists 64 home languages in student records and described ParentSquare and the district website as translation pathways; staff reported ParentSquare and web translation tools (Weglot) can surface content in many languages if users have selected a home language in their account.
Proponents of HYA said the proprietary instrument produces richer, research‑anchored displays and a leadership profile that can directly inform the position announcement and candidate evaluation. Some board members said the HYA product had qualitative value for a strategic review and leadership profile; others said the cost and limits on automatic multi‑language deployment were prohibitive.
After several motions (including a failed amendment to buy HYA and limit additional paid translations to the top five languages), the board approved the modified Google survey by roll call (yeas: Mrs. Modston, Mrs. Mendoza, President Serrano; nays: Mr. Roars, Mr. Heap). The board asked district staff to use district communication channels — ParentSquare, the superintendent search web hub and school sites — to maximize reach, provide QR codes and ensure translated notices and recorded forums are available. HYA will continue as the search firm and will analyze and synthesize input from surveys, forums and listening sessions into a leadership profile report expected by Nov. 12.
Key dates HYA and district staff provided: survey field period beginning Oct. 27; community engagement window Oct. 27–Nov. 7; completed leadership profile for board review on Nov. 12; application deadline Jan. 2, 2026; semifinalist and finalist interview windows to be scheduled in January.
