He was hired for the job permanently over five finalists, whittled down from around 30 applicants, after being required to reinterview for the position.

“The search committee conducted an extensive screening and interview process involving much

time and energy in order to find the best candidate for the school,” said Nedda Shaffir, public relations information director.

Improving communication with parents and students–something many students argued for at a forum last month–will be Bailey’s top priority next year, he said.

“Every area we can do better in, because that’s the nature of the business,” Bailey stated. “I don’t care how good we are at anything, there is always a need to constantly improve ourselves. Specifically, we have to do things to communicate better with our constituents, kids and parents in this community. I know they have been frustrated over why we do things from time to time.”

Students showed their displeasure in March when the governing board accepted the resignations of two Cactus Shadows administrators, Clay Carpenter and Pete Gerlach. Many students felt the administrators were forced out and did not resign of their own free will–a view that was exacerbated when the district gave vague reasons for the resignations.

Bailey said firming up next year’s administration will be one of his first jobs.

“The superintendent and I have talked about moving it to the front burner,” he said about the search for new administrators. “We’ll meet in the next few days.”

Bailey will be leading the school through a new academic program next fall. The International Baccalaureate, or IB program, will be offered as another college‑level diploma program students can achieve.

“We’ve made great strides toward improving the academic rigor in this school,” Bailey said. “If you’re going to compete in this society, you have to graduate with some skills, so we are moving in that direction.”

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com