By Kristine Thomas
Robert Frost Elementary School Principal Beth Davisson was the first to call Andy Bellando boss, but she certainly won’t be the last.
“Congratulations, boss,” Davisson said with a smile and handshake after the Nov. 9 school board meeting.
The Silver Falls School District board of directors unanimously chose Bellando to be the next superintendent.
The board had narrowed its choice to two in-house candidates – Bellando and Linda Myers, who is the district’s curriculum director and the principal of Victor Point Elementary School.
Board member Garth King said before the vote that the decision on who to select as superintendent was not a vote against someone. Instead it was a vote on who was best qualified to lead the district.
“We have two candidates who are absolutely stellar,” King said.
Board member Tim Roth said it was a difficult decision.
“We have two outstanding candidates,” he said. “It’s too bad we can’t pick two superintendents.”
Bellando, who is district’s director of personnel, will replace Superintendent Craig Roessler, who will retire June 30, 2010. Bellando begins his duties as superintendent July 1, 2010. Bellando received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oregon State University and his education administration certification from Portland State and Willamette universities.
During his 22 years of service with the Silver Falls School District as an agriculture teacher at Silverton High School, vice principal at Robert Frost Elementary, principal at Mark Twain Middle School and now personnel director, Bellando has “been through the fire,” Silver Falls School Board Chairman Wally Lierman said after the meeting.
Prefacing that with this is his personal opinion, Lierman said Bellando has had to deal with several controversial situations during his time with the district.
“He has shown that he has been able to handle what comes his way,” Lierman said. “He been through controversial issues that have prepared him for this position.”
Lierman also added Bellando has many “great contacts in the community” and “has a passion for the district.”
He also said the board thinks Myers is extremely good as the district’s curriculum director and want her to continue in that role.
In an interview before the board decision, Bellando said he wanted to be superintendent because he views it as the next natural step in his career.
“Even though this has not always been my ambition, I’ve evaluated my strengths and believe they are a fit for this position; they complement the many experiences I’ve had during my career,” he said.
“I am as passionate now about my influence on student education as I was when I began teaching in 1985.
That passion will be an asset to this position.”
After being congratulated by friends and colleagues, Bellando said he is looking forward to working with Roessler the next seven months to transition into his new role.
He also added he is humble and proud to be chosen as the next superintendent and looks forward to serving the children and families in the Silver Falls School District.
In other matters, the school board heard a presentation from Stephanie Ayhan and Taisia Alagoz about the district starting English/Russian Dual Language program at Butte Creek Elementary School.
The women presented the board members with an outline of why the program would benefit students.
“There is a real need and passion by parents within the Silver Falls School community who have expressed interest in their children learning a secondary language,” Ayhan said.
The board will discuss the proposal at a work session. Ayhan and Alagoz were asked to gather more information.
