Three prospective superintendents will face the public

By KYLE ODEGARD

Gazette-Times reporter

The Alsea School District will hold a forum where residents can meet three candidates hoping to become the district’s new superintendent.

Current superintendent Jason Larson, who has led the district for three years, has resigned effective at the end of the school year. Larson plans to move to California and explore job opportunities there.

“I am going to miss Jason a lot. I think he’s done very well for our school,” said Alsea School Board chairwoman Binky Hendrix.

The forum will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Alsea School.

Finalists for superintendent are: Marc Thielman, superintendent of the Wallowa School District in northeast Oregon; Terry Hoagland, principal at Riverview Elementary School in Lebanon; and Jon St. Germaine, principal of Harrisburg Middle School.

During the meeting, there will be a question and answer session. Residents will be able to share their thoughts about the candidates with the district. The school board could announce its hire at a special meeting on May 19, said Gwen Bruneau, business manager.

There have been significant changes for the district during Larson’s three years, including instruction changes, security improvements and a new preschool.

Elementary students now are grouped by skill level for math and reading, not by age.

“It’s gone over very well,” Hendrix said.

The security improvements included a new office near the main entrance, completed in November 2006, where staff could monitor who came into the building and onto the playground.

In the fall of 2005, teenage boys dressed as ninjas ran through the school, videotaping their exploits. The office was then tucked back in the middle of the building and some staff didn’t know about the prank until after it happened.

This is the second year of the new preschool, which now has 17 students. Prior to it being created, many parents drove their children to Philomath to develop learning, social and emotional skills.

“Next year, we’re moving to full-day kindergarten,” Larson said.

He said he’s leaving on great terms with the district.

“This is an amazing place. It’s kind of overwhelming. … The adults who work with kids here care so much and give such a personalized education.”

Kyle Odegard can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.

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