Superintendent

Office Location: District Office

Phone: Ext. 1001

The Superintendent is the Chief Executive Officer of the school district, responsible for leading all educational, operational, financial, and organizational functions. This role provides strategic direction, ensures alignment with School Board goals, and oversees the systems, staff, and structures that support student success. The Superintendent makes high-level decisions during crises, guides districtwide priorities, and represents the district to the School Board, community, and external partners.

Responsibilities Overview:

Leadership & Strategy: Framing and implementing the district's long-term vision, ensuring all major initiatives and annual priorities align with core district goals.

Instructional Leadership and Vision: Driving student outcomes through improvement science, while setting rigorous expectations and accountability systems for district leaders.

Decision-Making & Operations: Directing macro-level district operations, identifying project leaders, and determining next steps for major districtwide initiatives.

Crisis Leadership: Serving as the ultimate authority on safety actions, school closures, emergency responses, and strategic coordination with law enforcement and outside agencies.

Governance & School Board Matters: Facilitating collaborative leadership with the School Board, structuring board agendas, and aligning district work to meet board expectations.

Personnel & Organizational Issues: Addressing high-level staffing priorities, managing significant personnel matters, and approving structural changes that support student success.

Community Engagement and Partnerships: Gathering systematic feedback from city partners and stakeholders to align interagency relationships with strategic goals like student wellness, attendance, and graduation rates.

What Can I Help With?

While day-to-day campus matters should be directed to your school principal, please contact the Superintendent's office for the following district-wide matters:

Executive HR Requests: Final approvals for Requests for Leave of Absence, Letters of Resignation, and Retirements.
Crisis & Safety Decisions: Ultimate decision-making regarding emergency responses, school closures, and coordination with local agencies.
Systemic Escalations: High-level operational, instructional, or budgetary issues that require district-wide administrative intervention.
Board & Community Initiatives: Input on the district's strategic vision, School Board policies, bond planning, or major community partnerships.

🛑 When to Contact Someone Else

To ensure your needs are met quickly and routed to the right place, please note that the Superintendent’s Office does not manage:

Campus-Level Issues: Day-to-day school management, student discipline, parent concerns, or campus event logistics. (Contact your building Principal or Assistant Principal).
Department-Level Tasks: Detailed project work, data entry, or tasks assigned to specific departments (HR, Business Office, TLA, etc.). (Contact the respective Department Director).
Routine Communications: General announcements, standard staff/parent inquiries, or campus newsletters. (Contact your School or Department Leader).
Technical Troubleshooting: Resolving technology/hardware issues or managing digital platforms like the website, SIS, or ParentSquare. (Contact the Technology Department or Communications Director).
Lower-Level Personnel Issues: Time-off requests, standard staff conflicts, or employment verification. (Contact the Human Resources Department).
Classroom Instructional Support: Lesson planning, teacher coaching, curriculum documents, or assessment logistics. (Contact the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Department).

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Outside of Work

When I'm not leading and managing the school district, you can usually find me in the kitchen. I love to bake, cook, and experiment with new flavor-infused recipes. I've also been exploring my creative side through watercolor painting, and I never turn down a good puzzle when I want to keep my brain sharp.

My husband and I are proud parents to two grown children out living their lives in the world, along with one dog and three cats rounding out our household. We're both die-hard Dodgers fans and rarely miss a game during baseball season.

Born and raised in California, I'm now in my sixth year of calling Oregon, and The Dalles, my home. What I love most about this community is the everyday kindness of the people here, which makes it such a wonderful place to be.