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Superintendent/Elementary Principal: St. Paul School District, St. Paul Oregon

February 15, 2013

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The Position

The St. Paul School District Board of Directors is recruiting for an outstanding educational leader who can serve as both district superintendent/elementary principal. The successful candidate will provide educational vision and leadership in the district and community.

The District

The district is located in St. Paul, Oregon, a rural Marion County community in Oregon’s fertile Willamette Valley. Class sizes are small, most classrooms have interactive white boards and the district owns its own school buses. Both buildings were recently renovated, thanks to a $4.1 million bond approved by the voters.

St. Paul Elementary School is home to about 135 students in grades pre-K—6. It boasts a new computer lab with enough computers for all students in each class. Recent bond improvements included expanding the music room and building a new covered play area. Home of the “Buckaroos,” St. Paul Middle and High School is housed in one building with about 137 students in grades 7—12.

The district offers a variety of opportunities for students to combine academic learning with hands-on experiences. High school students work at an on-site daycare. Future Farmers of America students work in a greenhouse and have access to a small plot of land. Future Business Leaders of America and shop students gain additional opportunities to prepare for future education and employment. Many students are involved in sports, which enjoy strong community support.

The district is overseen by a seven-member board which meets monthly. The board’s mission is to “maintain a coordinated K-12 program designed to improve student achievement and develop each student into an adult who can stand confidently, participate fully, learn continually and contribute meaningfully to our world while being satisfied with his or her role in life.” The district’s goals include providing “a progressive learning environment for all students.”

The Community

Named after the French Catholic Saint Paul Mission, St. Paul today is a close-knit community of about 350 residents. The city center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and its outskirts are surrounded by acres of irrigated farmland for grasses, grains, hops, fruits, vegetables and nursery stock.

With just a few small businesses in the city, some residents commute to work in other communities. The state capital of Salem is about 20 miles south and Portland, the state’s largest city, is about 30 miles northeast. Nearby recreational pursuits include hunting, fishing, hiking and skiing. Despite a small business base, the active Booster Club, Jaycees and St. Paul Rodeo Association help support schools.

A source of great community pride, the St. Paul Rodeo was created by eight local farmers and businessmen and has been held every July 4th since 1935. From humble beginnings at the city baseball diamond, the rodeo has grown to one of the 20 largest in the country, drawing 50,000 people over several days.

The Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess the following qualities and qualifications:

Leadership and Management Qualities

• Utilizes a collaborative leadership style & works well with the board, staff, students & community
• Is highly visible in the community & at events; willing to develop & maintain positive relationships with community stakeholders
• Demonstrates strong conflict resolution & problem-solving skills; shows integrity & involves others in the decision-making process; able to make difficult decisions, respect the view points of others & consistently follows through
• Knowledgeable about Oregon & our current education laws  related to OEIB, CCSS, Achievement Compacts
• Small schools experience specific to program participation, athletics, FBLA, FFA
• Experienced, knowledgeable & supportive of professional learning communities, teacher preparation time & professional development
• Committed to the success of all students & willing to continue development of programs that ensure that success
• Able to handle consistent change in education & be proactive in leading initiatives; looks for new, relevant ways to improve education
• Recognizes diversity, multi-level instruction, ELL & special education as critical areas of focus
• Familiarity with & a desire to sustain current district programs
• Demonstrates strong fiscal management skills & is able to plan, prepare & implement a district budget

Education Experience

• Proven, successful, broad-based teaching experience desirable, with a pattern of increasing responsibility in educational administration; high school & elementary experience preferred
• Understands small schools & how they operate
• Has the ability to carry out supervision & evaluation cycles for all staff & provides support for new staff
• Knowledge of & ability to promote effective educational improvement & instructional practices. 
• Recognizes the importance of student learning in all academic areas & involvement in extra-curricular activities
• Demonstrates knowledge of successful staff development practices
• Ability to identify, select, motivate & evaluate high-quality staff
• Working knowledge of personnel issues, labor negotiations & contract management
• Demonstrated ability to improve student academic performance

Communication Skills

• Demonstrates strong communication skills & communicates effectively with the community, staff, students & the board of directors utilizing a variety of media channels
• Is approachable, accessible & listens to all parties with an open mind

Personal and Professional

• Demonstrates strong personal & professional honesty, integrity & fairness
• Approaches challenges with confidence & diplomacy
• Makes decisions based on what is best for students, equal outcomes focused
• Desires a long-term involvement with the community & district; willing to become an integral part of the St. Paul community
• Serves as a role model for district & community
• Understands an agricultural based community

Timeline

• Closing Date: March 22, 2013
• Screening: April 1-8, 2013
• Interviews: April 15-19, 2013
• Site Visits: April 19, 2013
• Selection: May 3, 2013
• Starting Date: July 1, 2013

Application Process

All applicants must apply online and provide the following:

• A completed online application
• A letter of interest stating why you wish to be employed by the St. Paul School District
• A current resume
• Three-to-five current letters of recommendation
• A copy of your Oregon superintendent license or proof of eligibility for an Oregon superintendent license
• A statement regarding how you meet the listed qualitites and qualifications
• A brief statement of your educational, leadership and management philosophies

All application materials must be complete and available to OSBA by 5 p.m., March 22, 2013.

To Apply

To begin your online application go to https://applicant.edzapp.com/loginprivate.aspx?origincode=22823 or click here to APPLY NOW!

Out-of-state candidates: To ensure your eligibility for an Oregon superintendent’s license, direct inquiries to Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, 503-378-3586; (fax) 503-378-4448

For more information

For questions regarding the online application process, please contact:

Stacy Davis, Executive Search Assistant.

For more information about the district and position, please contact:

Joe Wehrli, Director of Board Development
St. Paul School District Superintendent/Principal Search
c/o Oregon School Boards Association
P.O. Box 1068 Salem, OR 97308
800-578-6722 / (503) 588-2813 (FAX)

St. Paul School District provides equal opportunities in employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability in accordance with state and federal law.

Consistent with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process by contacting Donna Herren at 800-578-6722.