By Stephen Floyd
Former Silver Falls School District (SFSD) Assistant Superintendent Dan Busch has become superintendent of North Marion School District (NMSD) as of July 1, marking near-complete turnover of top district administrators.
NMSD announced the hire in a press release June 7. Busch was selected to fill the seat vacated by former Superintendent Ginger Redlinger, who resigned in 2023.
Busch told Our Town he feels well-prepared for his new position in light of the challenges faced by SFSD during his time there. These included two abrupt superintendent resignations, a global pandemic and protracted union negotiations.
Busch said what he loved the most about working in Silver Falls were the individual relationships.
“The quality of human beings in [SFSD] is what makes this district so special,” said Busch. “Even in the most difficult of circumstances, people never forgot to care for others first and that our ultimate job is to care for the students we serve.”
Busch joined SFSD on July 1, 2019, one day after the resignation of former Superintendent Andy Bellando. Busch served as acting superintendent for one month until an interim superintendent was brought on board.
As assistant superintendent Busch led the district’s human resources department and collective bargaining teams. This included efforts to renegotiate PERS benefits for non-teacher employees in 2020, and the regular contacts for teachers in 2021 and non-teachers in 2022. These negotiations were marked by contentions over pay and benefits amid significant shifts in the education industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When former Superintendent Scott Drue resigned suddenly March 13, Busch was again acting superintendent until Interim Superintendent Joe Morelock began April 3.
Morelock, who departed SFSD June 30, told the SFSD Board June 10 Busch’s former position would be eliminated and replaced with a director of human resources. Morelock said the responsibilities of the new role would essentially be similar, but with a pay reduction.
Busch’s departure marks near-complete turnover of top district positions during the 2023-24 school year.
Facilities Director Jeff Alderman began July 1, 2023, after the retirement of former Facilities Director Lorin Stanley.
Controller Kim Doud became interim director of finance March 11 after former Director of Finance & Operations Steve Nielsen departed for a similar position with Oregon Charter Academy.
This month Kim Kellison steps into the interim superintendent position on a two-year contract. Morelock served SFSD while “on loan” from the Willamette Education Services District and returns to his position there.
Former Scotts Mills Principal Kirstin Jorgenson took over as Silverton High School Principal July 1. Prior SHS Principal Sione Thompson resigned April 2 to become executive director for TEACH Las Vegas.
The positions of route coordinator, communications and community relations coordinator, and director of teaching and learning were eliminated during recent reductions in force.
The sole directorship without turnover was director of IT, held by Brett Milliken.
