New Yuma School District 1 superintendent shares his goals
Eduardo Morales
Yuma School District 1 is set to have a new superintendent after almost a decade.
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma School District 1 has announced that current Chief Financial Officer Denis Ponder was voted as the new superintendent.
Ponder has been working for the district for about the past nine years, he shares that he was excited with the news, but knows it is a lot of work.
Ponder shared with us what he would like to focus on in this new role.
“What’s the best way forward in terms of being able to provide what our community needs and deserves, and then being able to deliver that with the resources we have,” said Ponder.
Current superintendent James Sheldahl served in the position for the previous nine years.
He has some words of advice for Ponder.
“Never lose sight of the fact that you’re here for a period of time to lead an organization that has a huge impact on the community,” said Sheldahl.
He describes what the position meant to him.
“Really, the highlight of my career, and I just can’t express what an honor it’s been to be able to have this experience and hold this position,” said Sheldahl.
While Ponder has a message for the parents of the district.
“We’re going to continue to be community oriented and community focused, and we want feedback, we want engagement from parents, we know that engaged families, engaged parents generally lead to better success for the kids,” said Ponder.
If the school board approves Ponder’s contract he will take over as superintendent on July 1.