By Stephen Floyd
The Silver Falls School District (SFSD) has partnered with the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) to find an interim superintendent as the search for a permanent superintendent takes shape.
During the SFSD Board’s regular meeting April 22, it approved a COSA-led search process that could result in hiring an interim superintendent by mid-May.
This would leave time for the new hire to work with current Interim Superintendent Joe Morelock to transition into the position before Morelock leaves June 30.
Morelock became interim superintendent April 3 following the abrupt resignation of former Superintendent Scott Drue March 13.
COSA’s incoming Executive Director Krista Parent told the board her agency looks for recently retired superintendents, or those who are soon to retire, who are prepared to step into an interim position immediately. She said there is currently a “shallow pool” of candidates and multiple school districts are in the market. She encouraged the board to act swiftly to secure quality candidates.
The board approved a timeline that included posting the position April 23 and closing applications May 3. This would be followed by closed-door interviews the week of May 6 and a public hiring decision the week of May 13.
Board members said they would prefer a process that included more time for public feedback and an opportunity for community members to engage with potential candidates. Parent advised against this because of the district’s short effective timeline and because public interviews were not typical and could reduce applicants.
Parent also advised the board to be diligent in advertising for a permanent superintendent and suggested they post the job by October, or no later than January of 2025. She again noted the small pool of candidates and high demand in Oregon. She said if the district takes too long it “will miss out” on quality candidates.
Parent acknowledged SFSD is attempting to save money amid a serious budget crunch and said, though COSA is offering its services for free, those services are limited. She said COSA will help advertise the position and offer guidance on interviews, but for a permanent superintendent the district may want the broader capabilities of a paid consultancy.
Board Chair Jennifer Traeger said the board does not have to decide now what the search for a permanent superintendent will look like. It can be flexible on those details.
The board also voted to approve a list of personal qualities they want in an interim superintendent based on feedback from a recent community survey and public forum. Residents expressed their desire for integrity, fiscal responsibility, openness and humility. The board incorporated these qualities with the official qualifications for an interim superintendent.
