Board taps Barrett for interim post.

Byline: ANNE WILLIAMS The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - After conducting a statewide search that yielded 12 candidates, the Springfield School Board on Monday hired the district's own Steve Barrett to serve out the school year as interim superintendent.

Barrett, 54, was named acting superintendent Aug. 9, following the abrupt departure of Jamon Kent. Kent resigned under pressure from the five-member board, a majority of whom believed the district needed new leadership.

An administrator in the district for almost 23 years, Barrett was Kent's assistant superintendent for operations, one of two top deputy posts.

The board - down from five to four members with the recent resignation of Tom Atkinson - narrowed the pool and interviewed three finalists last week. Members said Barrett easily emerged as the front-runner on his own merits and that the decision was unanimous.

"We had three finalists; all of them were strong," Al King said. "I was impressed, really, with all of the interviews, but I was very impressed with the insight Mr. Barrett presented in the interview process."

The other two finalists were Albert Davidian, superintendent in the North Marion School District in Aurora, and Roger Sauer, superintendent in the Willamina School District in Yamhill County.

Board Chairman Garry Weber said Barrett has a strong track record of problem-solving and team-building, and that those skills have been evident already in the six weeks he's been acting superintendent.

Board members have talked with district employees and other references in recent days, Weber added, and have been heartened by what they've heard. He said it's obvious Barrett has strong rapport with many staff and community members.

Since coming to the district in 1980, Barrett has been assistant superintendent for communications, assistant superintendent for administrative services and assistant superintendent for operations. In those roles, he's overseen most district departments, including budget and finance, food services, transportation, maintenance, communications, purchasing and technology.

Absent from his resume is any teaching experience, as well as involvement in the district's instruction department. But board members said his knowledge and understanding of curriculum impressed them nonetheless.

"Steve has such an inherent understanding of what is the importance of the instructional program in this district, how that is the most important thing in this district," said Laurie Adams, who worked with Barrett during a previous 12-year stint on the board. "I'm just real tickled that we got to hire you."

Barrett thanked board members for their confidence and pledged to do his best.

"I also know this isn't about me," he said. "I couldn't operate or be effective without large groups of (other) people, many of whom are in this room."

Barrett said his top two priorities for the year ahead are steering the district through difficult financial waters and negotiating contracts with unions for both the teachers and classified workers. He said he believes that there's still lingering ill will over Kent's controversial resignation, but that healing those wounds is not his focus.

"Regardless of where people sit on that issue, our task is to look at our main mission, and that's teaching kids," he said.

Before launching the interim search, the board decided that candidates would have to agree not to seek the permanent post. However, the board agreed to Barrett's request that he be allowed to apply, if he wishes.

In his previous position, Barrett's annual compensation was $97,905, which included base salary and a tax-sheltered annuity. As interim superintendent, he'll earn $118,129.

Barrett said he and other administrators are tending to his previous duties as well as those of Len Arney, former assistant superintendent for instruction, who retired in early August. By hiring Barrett and not filling his position, the board saves on one administrator salary.

The board on Monday also agreed to contract with the Oregon School Boards Association to help with the search for a permanent replacement at a fee of $9,500.

The association also assisted with the interim search, charging about $700.