New superintendent to start Jan. 1 – Rickert set to retire June 30
Contributed Article/Courtesy Pima Schools
PIMA – The Governing Board of the Pima Unified School District #1 announces that five educational leaders are finalists for the position of Superintendent, which will begin Jan. 1, 2026, in collaboration with current PUSD Superintendent Sean Rickert, who will retire on June 30, 2025. The finalists were selected from a group of over a dozen applications submitted by the Oct. 23 deadline.
The finalists are Steve Estatico, Superintendent of Superior Unified School District; Greg Fowler, Superintendent of McNary Elementary School District; Josh Middleton, Director of Human Resources, J.O. Combs Unified School District; Kurt Palmer, most recently Program Manager for Strategic Resources for Arizona State University; and Kevin St. John, Interim Administrator, Melstone Public Schools, Montana.
Mr. Estatico, Superintendent of the Superior Unified School District since 2015, has been a part of the Superior Community for 30 years, teaching, coaching, and serving in various district positions. A member of the City Council for nine years, he currently serves as a member of the Arizona Rural School Association Executive Board.
Dr. Fowler has over two decades of administrative experience in Arizona schools. As Superintendent at McNary, he led the district from a Failing designation to a B rating in one year. Having held Principal positions in various districts in Arizona, including Mesa USD, he is active in civic and church organizations.
Dr. Middleton has 22 years of Superintendent experience in rural school districts in Washington, Montana, and Idaho. While leading districts, he has also coached youth sports, been active in Chambers of Commerce, and received numerous leadership awards.
Dr. Palmer, a long-time Pima resident, has held various positions in the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation at Arizona State University. He has focused especially on building strategic and rural community partnerships. He has coached and volunteered at Pima for 15 years, serving as the Head Varsity Wrestling Coach since 2016.
Mr. St. John has 23 years of educational administrative experience, including Superintendent positions in small communities in Idaho, Montana, and Arizona. He is experienced in implementing technological innovation along with updating and renovating facilities.
The selection process continues on Thursday, Nov. 13, with interviews by the Governing Board and two community forums at Pima Schools Cafeteria on Main Street. The first forum is for PUSD staff at 4 p.m., and the other is for the community at 5:15 p.m. The Arizona School Administrators will moderate these events, and the finalists will field questions submitted by attendees. Attendees can then share written comments with the board ahead of their final decision-making meeting.
Following those sessions, the Governing Board will meet to make its final decision.
