The Silver Falls School District (SFSD) has hired Kim Kellison, current superintendent of the Winston-Dillard School District, as interim superintendent effective July 1.
The decision to hire Kellison was unanimous Tuesday night during a special meeting of the SFSD Board, and her contract will run through June 30, 2026.
Kellison told board members after the vote she believes SFSD can “move forward in a positive way” from circumstances which created a current budget crisis.
A report from budget analysts in April said the district has been outspending revenue for the last three school years while covering the difference from cash reserves until reserves were nearly depleted. The district took out a bridge loan and instituted furlough days to cover a $4 million budget deficit this year and is cutting $8.8 million from next year’s budget to realign spending with revenue and restore reserves.
Kellison said moving beyond this crisis will require making decisions that are in the best interests of students and acknowledging the community’s need for healing.
“My commitment to the district is that I will always listen, and I will always act with integrity, and I will always try to do what’s best for kids,” she said.
The position of superintendent has been vacant since March 13 when former Superintendent Scott Drue resigned suddenly. The district has since contracted with the Willamette Education Service District for its superintendent Joe Morelock to serve as SFSD interim superintendent through June 30.
Though Kellison does not officially join SFSD until July 1, she said she was prepared to start learning about the district and its inner workings on her own time in preparation for the role.
“I’m going to hit the ground running tomorrow,” she said.
In a press release Tuesday night, Board Chair Jennifer Traeger said Kellison was the right fit for SFSD, including her experience as an administrator, her history in rural districts and her commitment to community involvement and transparency.
“[Kellison’s] dedication to being visible, involved, and collaborative is exactly what is needed at this time,” said Traeger.
