Message from Our Superintendent

Superintendent’s Message

Dear Altar Valley Families,

Welcome Back to the 2026–2027 School Year!

Every great harvest begins with planting a seed. A new school year gives us the opportunity to plant the SEEDs that will help every student Build, Grow, Flourish, and Succeed. There is something truly special about this time of year—a season of new beginnings, fresh opportunities, new friendships, and endless possibilities. And as my daughter has been reminding my wife and me for weeks, it’s also time for back-to-school shopping!

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I hope you had a wonderful summer filled with time to relax, reflect, and recharge. This year, we will continue planting the SEEDs that help every student Build, Grow, Flourish, and Succeed.

My family enjoyed spending time together this summer, but I was excited for the first day of school to arrive. The reason I chose a career in education is simple—I love the excitement that comes with a new school year. I love learning, helping others achieve their goals, and watching students discover their potential. And yes, I still love back-to-school shopping. After all, who doesn’t appreciate opening a brand-new box of freshly sharpened pencils?

While summer is a time to recharge, it has also been a season of preparation across Altar Valley School District. Teachers planned for the year ahead, students and staff enjoyed another outstanding Discovery STEM Camp, and our third through eighth grade math teachers strengthened their instructional practices through Modern Classroom mathematics training. We also welcomed new and returning staff as we prepared for another year of excellence, continuing to plant the SEEDs by creating safe and supportive learning environments, educating to exceed, empowering students, and encouraging them to dream big and do great things.

I am proud of the direction Altar Valley School District continues to move. Our students are making academic gains, and we remain committed to building on that success as we help every student reach their full potential.

This year also brings several exciting changes. Ms. Dustie Gunn will serve as principal of both Robles Elementary and Altar Valley Middle School, while Ms. Gloria Vasquez will assume the new role of Dean of Students and continue serving as our Exceptional Student Services Coordinator. We have also relocated all middle school students to the B Building, creating a unified learning environment that strengthens collaboration, relationships, and opportunities for students in grades 6–8.

I also want to recognize our outstanding Operations Team—including our maintenance staff, grounds crew, transportation department, and our Pima County Summer Youth Employment Program team. Their dedication throughout the summer ensured our campuses are safe, welcoming, and ready for students on the very first day of school.

As we begin this new school year, thank you for your continued partnership and support. The strength of Altar Valley School District comes from the incredible students, families, staff, and community we serve. Together, we will continue planting the SEEDs that help every student Build, Grow, Flourish, and Succeed. Thank you for your partnership and for all you do to make Altar Valley School District such a special place to learn and grow.

I wish each of you a successful, memorable, and rewarding 2026–2027 school year. So sharpen those pencils, embrace the opportunities ahead, and let’s continue building a future where every student can thrive. Welcome back!

Keep Growing!

Dr. Dave Dumon
Superintendent
Altar Valley School District
ddumon@avsd.org
520-822-1484
#AllStarsRead

DR. DAVID DUMON COMPLETES AASA NATIONAL SUPERINTENDENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) selected 30 superintendents from across Arizona to participate in the National Board Certification Program, a 20-month professional experience designed to bolster the effectiveness of superintendents across the nation. The program followed a cohort model and supported leaders with the knowledge, skills, and practices to advance, guide and support superintendents to be future-ready as they enhance learning opportunities for students. The AASA National Superintendent Certification Program provided a real-time focus on key issues that superintendents are facing today. Congratulations, Dr. Dumon!

CONGRATULATIONS, DR. DUMON!

Congratulations to Dr. David Dumon for being selected to receive ASA’s All Arizona Superintendent Award for the Small Size School Districts.

Dr. Dumon is superintendent of the Altar Valley School District in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Dumon and the Governing Board have developed a strong rapport that centers on common goals around students achievement and an understanding that the schools are social and cultural anchors in the small community of Three Points. Within the first year, he and his board created a strategic plan that focused on students achieving both personal and academic excellence. The strategic plan has guided the district toward their goals and is revisited frequently with stakeholders.

Dr. Dumon identified, adopted, and implemented a comprehensive core reading program during the beginning of his tenure. He led the restructuring of the K–8 literacy instruction to include rigorous Tier I instruction and targeted Tier II and Tier III interventions.

He is involved with professional development, instructional coaching, and implementation of DIBELS benchmark screening for teachers and administrators. He believes data should be used to guide teaching, learning, and professional development.

The district is a key partner in the annual Three Points Community Festival where Dr. Dumon serves on the planning committee. At this annual event, the Three Points community, a rural, unincorporated area 25 miles west of Tucson come together. Board members, staff, and community partners come together each Thanksgiving to cook, serve, and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner for families in need. During the pandemic Altar Valley School District partnered with Pima County and provided fresh food boxes to more than 30 families each month.

He is guided by the word of Lewis Carroll, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” Dr. Dumon cares deeply about teaching and learning. He appreciates school isn’t easy for everyone (him included) and that each child has a right to quality instruction. He visits classrooms, playgrounds, and attends extra-curricular events and enjoys taking on the role of motivator-in-chief. You may see him as Professor “Dumon”-dore from Harry Potter, reminding Altar Valley School District students that they have the magic within them to succeed, the Last Jedi inspiring students to find the force within themselves to achieve, or putting the “Super” in Superintendent as Altar Valley Man.

Altar Valley School District is a social and cultural anchor in the Three Points community. It serves nearly 600 students, encompassing nearly 700 square miles of high Sonoran Desert and mountains situated between metro Tucson and the Tohono O’odham Nation.