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COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MARCH 28, 2018 3A
Swinging Bridge group raises funds School board settles
on timeline for
superintendent
search
By Caitlyn May
cmay@cgsentinel.com
The latest estimates surrounding the repair
cost of the Swinging Bridge neared $1 million
earlier this month but the Friends of the Cottage
Grove Swinging Bridge didn't let something like a
six-fi gure obstacle stand in their way.
The group, which organized after the bridge was
deemed unsafe for passers in 2016, had planned
Saturday's fundraiser well before the March
12 news that the Swinging Bridge would cost
$950,000 to repair but the new, heftier number
was certainly heavier to carry along the fundrais-
ing trail.
Saturday's event held at the armory and dubbed,
Swing the Bridge, was more than a fundraiser. Ac-
cording to group member Dana Merryday it was
also a way to raise awareness for the bridge.
In between sets from the live music, attendees
were invited to write letters of support for the
bridge that will be used during the city's pursuit of
grants to help fund the bridge's repair. According
to development and planning director Faye Stew-
art, illustrated community support for a project can
help sway a grant committee.
Saturday's event, which also featured a raffl e,
raised $4,474 at the earliest count. The money will
be combined with the funds raised through the
city's round up program which allows residents
to round-up their water bill to the nearest dollar
amount to donate to the bridge. At last count, the
PHOTO BY GREG LEE
fund had nearly $3,500.
Work on the bridge, assuming existing grant re- Cindy Weeldreyer and Don Williams enter the Swing the Bridge event on Saturday to support
quests are approved, would begin next year.
efforts to raise funds to repair the Swinging Bridge in Cottage Grove. Below, the crowd at the
event.
Special Deal!
By Zach Silva
zsilva@cgsentinel.com
The South Lane School board approved a pair of timelines to
guide its search process as they fi nd a long-term superintendent to
take over the school district in addition to fi nding someone to fi ll
the role in the interim.
At the latest district meeting, a special session held Monday,
March 19, the district passed a timeline for the search for an interim
superintendent and a “working” timeline in place for the long-term
superintendent search.
In January, the board announced that superintendent Krista Parent
is set to retire in June. The announcement came as a result of con-
troversy around Parent surrounding her personal life and the writing
of an anonymous letter that was given to the board. Assistant super-
intendent Kyle Tucker was appointed as acting superintendent until
June 31 but he will not be applying for the interim position.
Starting July 1 and ending July 1, 2019, the district will be under
the guide of a new leader. According to the timeline that was agreed
upon, the interim superintendent will be hired by May 7. The next
steps in the process for the interim superintendent will take place at
April’s school board meeting at the district offi ce where the board
will screen candidates’ paperwork, develop interview questions and
discuss contract parameters. A special board meeting will be held
on April 23 and in executive session the board will interview the
potential candidates.
“The short-term ones tend to be a retired superintendent. We’re
going to see different walks of life superintendents who want cash,”
said board chairman Alan Baas.
“Conceivably we could have people in town, someone from in-
side the district apply. If they have an administrative license, that
qualifi es them to be superintendent. And there are one or two that
would be okay being superintendent.”
Guiding the board through the interim search process has been
the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA). The group has
been led by director of board development Steve Kelley.
At Monday’s meeting helping the board selected three search
agencies to help fi nd a long-term superintendent. Of the six agen-
cies, they were picking from, the school board put an emphasis on
location and picked three groups that are located in Oregon.
“I’ve watched the Eugene school district and when they hire (su-
perintendents) out of state, it does not turn out. So I mean, that’s a
personal opinion. We want someone who knows our laws, our tax
structure,” said vice chair Sherry Duerst-Higgins during the meet-
ing.
The board selected the agencies OSBA, Northwest Leadership
Associates and Window to Leadership. OSBA and Window to
Leadership were picked under the impression that the two groups
will be working together as one agency for the district and would
give one presentation. The groups will present to the board in a
meeting on April 23.
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