It came as welcomed news to many that Dennis Dearden has agreed to stay on as Sedona-Oak Creek School District’s superintendent and principal for the next three years.
Dearden’s contract was approved unanimously at the Governing Board meeting April 20. His new contract begins July 1 and runs through June 30, 2024.
“We’re grateful that you’re staying and for your incredible hard work,” board member Barbara Trautwein said. “We appreciate your loyalty to your team by always including them in whatever great thing you come up with.”
Student representative Hunter White said he has not seen an administrator who has cared more for students than Dearden.
“Thank you for your service and I’m very excited to see that you’re staying on for a few more years,” White said. “The service you’ve done for this district has been incredible in terms of how much this district has changed over the last few years.”
Board President Randy Hawley echoed the thoughts of the others.
“I was in the business [education] for 42 years and Denny is the best I’ve worked with in a variety of ways,” he said. “He’s able to adjust to the needs going on in the district and make those changes as necessary. He’s also able to take a group of people, administrators for example, and meld them together and help them work as a team and not just as a bunch of individuals.
“I have seen districts with great individuals but they don’t work together as a team. So you end up not getting the kind of results you’d really like. I’ve seen this administrative team work together and grow together thanks to Denny.”
Hawley then added, “I pinch myself every day as to how lucky we are to have him as our superintendent, principal and leader of this district.”
Dearden appreciated the kind words but said the praise should be spread throughout the members of his team.
“It takes all of us to do it — no one person can do it alone,” Dearden said. “I’ve been in some great districts across the country and this is one of the finest groups I’ve worked with.”
