By Mary Owen
New principal Jamie McCarty has a four-step plan for heading Silver Crest and Victor Point schools next year.
He replaces Silver Crest Principal Mark Recker, who resigned for health reasons. Heidi Ostrom served as interim principal. At Victor Point, McCarty replaces Linda Myers, who is now working at the district office.
“I want to listen to what is important to our students, parents and staff,” said McCarty who comes to the Silver Falls School District from the North Santiam School District. “I want to learn as much as possible about the schools’ past performance.”
McCarty, who was principal of Stayton Intermediate and Middle schools, also wants to build solid relationships.
“Staff will not care what I know, they will want to know how much I care,” he said. “And I want to be a leader. This will be done one decision, one interaction and one day at a time.”
Superintendent Andy Bellando told parents in a letter that “the selection of a principal is one of the most important decisions any school can make.”
He thanked those serving on the selection committee for their time and efforts as well as welcoming McCarty to his new position.
“Everyone from the Silver Falls School District has been very welcoming,” McCarty said. “I have had many staff who have reached out with a congratulations. It makes you feel great about what is ahead.”
McCarty leaves the North Santiam School District after 16 years.
“It was the first job I applied for out of college,” he added. “There was a head basketball job and PE position, and I got both of those. I was at the high school nine years. I taught PE/Health and coached basketball.”
McCarty also served as vice principal/athletic director at Stayton High School during his last four years there. He was also principal for four years at Sublimity School.
“It was a great opportunity, and I had to make a decision to give up basketball because I wasn’t able to do both. My kids at that time were 3 and 6, and it was great timing to spend more time with my family.”
McCarty then took the Stayton Intermediate/Middle School position.
“It has been a very inspiring three years at SIS/SMS,” he said. “The staff came together and turned around a culture of low test scores and a huge amount of student discipline to now a school where learning is the number one priority. State test scores went up significantly, and the expectations of our students are very high. There is very little discipline at the school because of the engagement and amazing teaching happening in the classroom.”
McCarty said learning new schools, new systems and new people will be a challenge, but one he is excited to take on.
“I have spent 16 years developing relationships in the NSSD,” he said. “There is a comfort level with that. At Silver Falls, everything will be new for me. Getting in, gaining knowledge and learning will start to add that comfort with each day on the job.
“I’m really excited about the journey ahead, and look forward to make a positive impact,” he added.
