By Chelly Bouferrache
For The New Era
Central Linn School Board members decided Wednesday, March 12, to postpone hiring a permanent superintendent until after next school year.
Instead, following a suggestion from Interim Supt. Cathy Horowitz, they decided to advertise immediately for an interim superintendent who would serve until next year, whereupon the new board could then search for a permanent superintendent – or keep the one it has.
Board members agreed to hold interviews and visits for an interim superintendent April 21-25 and, after screening and background checks, expecting to announce their choice in early May.
Then, when the new board is seated in July, the plan would be for them to do another search in January or February for a permanent superintendent.
Horowitz gave the board multiple options that included seeking a one-year interim superintendent that could turn into an ongoing contracted position; to go forward and simply advertise for a permanent superintendent, or an interim who wants to extend, or simply advertise for a one-year superintendent, who would be free to apply for the position after a new board is seated.
She said one risk to making a permanent hire would be that new board members might come in and say, “I didn’t hire that person.”
After extended discussion, that was a significant portion of the two-hour, forty-five-minute meeting, they decided to opt for the interim solution.
Board members also discussed leadership transitions, enrollment declines and a wrestling room upgrade during their two-hour, forty-five-minute meeting.
Bond Discussion
The board also discussed the need to inform the community about a bond measure set for voter approval in the May 20 election, and the formation of the Bond Oversight Committee.
Board Member Stacey Winter said he and others have been working as a committee with Autumn Foster, a communication consultant in Newberg who has worked with other districts on bonds.
He said Foster will develop communication materials for the district, which will get bond materials approved by the Elections Division in March, then focus on communication to the public in April, which will include virtual and in-person tours of schools in April and May. Ballots will be sent out April 30 and must be turned in by Mary 20.
Board Secretary Dena Crowell noted that the district is restricted to providing unbiased information.
“We are a reference point,” she said.
Winter also said board members could help plan and conduct school tours, as well as present communication at local city council meetings.
The school district has received a $6 million state grant to fund capital improvements, contingent on voters approving a $34 million bond. The proposed upgrades include a new classroom wing at the high school, along with additional improvements and enhanced security measures at the elementary school.
If passed, the bond would represent an estimated annual tax rate of $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
A citizen oversight committee would be formed to oversee the project, and bonds may be issued in multiple series, each maturing within 20 years from issuance.
The Bond Oversight Committee, to be appointed by the superintendent rather than the board, will ensure funds are spent as promised and maintain public trust.
With a dramatic drop in enrollment straining finances, a suggestion emerged to launch an online charter school to reclaim students lost to similar programs. No decision was reached.
Wrestling Room Expansion
The board also approved Central Linn Mat Club Coach Tyler Simmons’ request to remove a shower wall and plumbing fixtures to create room for additional mats in the wrestling practice space, a former locker room, to create more space for the growing club and junior high programs. Two coaches will handle the work at no cost, pending final approvals, he said.
Board Chair David Karo asked when the last time the showers had been used.
Multiple people agreed that it had been at least 10 years since the showers had been used. Simmons said he would use grout or some similar material to plug drains, which could be removed if the showers ever needed to be used again.
Board members also asked Simmons to make sure the wall was non-load-bearing.
Facilities Subcommittee
While discussing maintenance needs in the district, Board Member Garrett Leabo noted that the board at one time had a committee to discuss maintenance priorities and suggested that might be a good idea at the present time.
Board Member Jason Curtis suggested such a subcommittee would take pressure off the administration in deciding how to address maintenance issues.
Board members also discussed whether it should be a board subcommittee or independent of the board and simply reporting to the board.
Crowell told members that if the committee were a board subcommittee, meetings would need to be noticed and subject to public meeting law.
Curtis said having the facility committee should meet “in full transparency” would be preferable.
“There are people in this room who are very knowledgeable and would be very helpful on this committee,” he said.
Leabo said the committee would provide “checks and balances.”
Curtis suggested the district office should guide the committee, prioritizing its focus, and that committee members also could make recommendations.
“You get a lot done on a tailgate in the morning on a job,” Curtis said. “You get together and prioritize the scope and sequence of what you’re going to do for the day, and that’s what a committee does. It brings organization to the process.”
The next board meeting is scheduled for April 14 at 6 p.m.
– Scott Swanson contributed to this report.