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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 23, 2018)
News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, May 23, 2018 A3 Superintendent leaving for Tillamook By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Bret Uptmor Stephen Phillips Vince Swagerty School superintendent selection narrowed to three Committee passes $17.8 million budget on to board By Richard Hanners Blue Mountain Eagle The selection for a new Grant School District 3 su- perintendent was narrowed down to three finalists, the school board announced May 21. The district received 18 applications since advertis- ing began in mid-April. Following the advice of a consultant assisting in the hiring process, a screen- ing committee composed of teachers, staff, admin- istration and two parents met May 8 and whittled the applications down to six, school board chairwoman Chris Cronin told the Eagle. There was no discus- sion among the commit- tee members about the se- lections. Each member read each application and scored each applicant in confidence. The consultant tabulated the results and found significant agreement among committee members. “The cream rose to the top,” Cronin said. The school board met in executive session May 17 to conduct interviews in person or by video conference and narrowed the selection down to three. The finalists will travel to Grant County to visit the district schools and meet with staff and students. The community is invit- ed to meet the candidates in person from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at the Grant Union Junior-Senior High School library. They candidates include: • Stephen W. Phillips was formerly deputy superinten- dent at Beaverton School Dis- trict from 2016-2018, serving 41,000 students. Before that, he was superintendent at Malheur Education Service District in Vale for four years, where he also spent four years as director of career technical education, alternative edu- cation, youth transition and technology. Phillips served as assis- tant middle school principal in the Nyssa School District for five years and worked for five years as a math teacher and coach for various athlet- ic teams. He has a Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Idaho and a master’s in educational ad- ministration from Idaho State University. • Vince R. Swagerty served as principal for Reed- sport Charter School in the Reedsport School District, serving 335 students. He also served as principal at Open Bible Christian School/C.S. Lewis Academy for four years, as well as other Ore- gon school districts for eight years. Swagerty served as the professional technical educa- tion coordinator for Douglas Education Service District from 1998 to 2002. He has a master’s in policy, founda- tions and administration from Portland State University and a bachelor’s in curriculum and instruction from the Uni- versity of Oregon. • Bret A. Uptmor has been superintendent at Wallowa School District since 2011, serving 180 students. Before that, he was an assistant prin- cipal and a principal in the Ontario School District for six years. Before entering school ad- ministration, Uptmor was an industrial technology teacher for about 15 years. He has a master’s and a bachelor’s in industrial technology educa- tion from the University of Idaho. The school board has be- gun thorough background and reference checks for the finalists. The board will con- duct a second interview with each finalist in executive ses- sion and expects to hire a new superintendent at the June 6 board meeting. In other school board news: • The district budget com- mittee approved a $17.8 mil- lion budget for fiscal year 2018-2019 at the May 16 meeting. The school board will finalize approval of the budget during a June 6 public hearing. The budget increased by 18 percent over last year’s ad- opted budget, which reflects $236,906 in federal Secure Rural Schools funding not available last year, a grant for the seismic upgrade to Hum- bolt Elementary School and increased funding from the state. The state’s economy has done well so more money is being made available per stu- dent, Shelley said. Locally, the district has been facing declining population and low- er median income. Projected enrollment for the next fiscal year is 605 students, three more than in March 2018. Over the past 10 years, district enrollment has de- clined by 170 students, which equates to a loss of $1.3 mil- lion in revenue to the district from the State School Fund Grant during 2018-19, ac- cording to the budget mes- sage. “What this has meant to the district during this time frame has been an aggres- sive move to downsize while maintaining quality pro- grams,” the budget message states. “A large portion of the reduction has included the consolidation of schools and reduction of positions dis- trictwide.” More than 70 percent of the general fund budget goes to salaries and associated pay- roll costs of 88 school district employees. The new budget will reflect the last year of a four-year contract with li- censed staff and the first year of a two-year contract with classified staff. Cronin called it a good budget. “We didn’t have to make any cuts,” she said. • Shelley reported some good news about the Grant Union Junior-Senior High School gym floor. The south- east corner of the floor buck- led as a result of water from an ice machine. The buckled floor boards have been coming down, Shelley said, and enough wood might exist to allow them to be sanded rather than completely replaced. “We will monitor the gym floor and make repairs as needed in July,” Shelley told the Eagle. For those who have gone before to protect and defend Thank You! 120 E Main St. John Day 541-575-0629 www.lensdrug.com Changes at Grant School District 3 are on the horizon as Superintendent Curt Shelley resigns at the end of the school year, and several other positions at the school district open up. Shelley has accepted a posi- tion as assistant superintendent at Tillamook School District. He expects to step into the super- intendent position in one year, after the current superintendent, who has been at the job for 17 years, retires. Shelley’s wife, Elizabeth, who is the career coordinator and advanced English teacher at Grant Union, was recently hired at Tillamook as their career co- ordinator. “It is a new opportunity for us,” Curt said. “It’s a good school district with lots of op- portunities.” The Shelleys have two chil- dren, Reagan, who will graduate from Grant Union next month, and Kellen, a sophomore. Kel- len has been involved in agricul- ture classes and FFA. “They have a great ag pro- gram and lots of opportunities for college credits,” Elizabeth said. “It’s a very similar atmo- sphere to our community here.” The Shelleys moved to John Day in 2007, when Curt became the principal of Grant Union, with Elizabeth hired as a teacher and career coordinator. He has also been an OSAA executive board member for six years as a 3A and then a 2A representative. In Tillamook, he will be back as a 4A repre- sentative for Tillamook School District. In 2015, Curt became the superintendent of Grant School District 3. “This is my third school dis- trict I’ve worked for, and I think it’s been the best school district I’ve been in,” Curt said. “It’s been a good opportunity for my children, and us.” “I agree,” Elizabeth said. “Our kids have both thrived in their environment with the great connections they’ve had and made. We have very supportive administrators and staff to work toward common goals.” As an English teacher, Eliz- abeth has helped students earn dual credits in writing and lit- erature through Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. She also teaches leadership class for student body and class officers. “All the kids have been great to work with,” she said. “It’s been rewarding to see the students move on, and achieve the goals they have set for them- selves.” The Eagle/Richard Hanners Elizabeth and Curt Shelley submitted their letters of resignation at the March 21 meeting of the Grant School District 3 board of directors. Both have accepted jobs with the Tillamook School District. Humbolt Elementary teach- ers and staff were approved for hire at the May 16 school board meeting, including Sha- ron Fritsch for sixth grade, Julie Hamilton for fifth grade, Kelli LaFranboise for second grade and Shanley Cobb as librarian, and special education assistant. The board also approved Kristi Moore, a Grant Union English teacher, to take on the addition- al positions of dean of students and career coordinator. Casey Hallgarth, who has taught sixth grade at Humbolt for four years, has accepted the superintendent/principal position at Prairie City School District. Curt Shelley said other openings in the district include Humbolt principal, district music teacher and high school math teacher. Humbolt prin- cipal Kim Smith has accepted a position with Baker Charter Schools. She has been with the district for 20 years. Matt Jones, who has taught middle school and high school math, as well as calculus and physics, is retiring after 32 years with the district. He previously taught in Ontario. Jones was voted Grant Union’s Teacher of the Year multiple times. Music teacher Lori Hart has also resigned and accepted a po- sition in Arizona. Curt said he’s enjoyed liv- ing in John Day and working at the district. “We’re not leaving this community because of any- thing here,” he said. “We’re looking for new opportunities.” “This is a great place,” Eliz- abeth added. Thank you from Blue Mountain Chiropractic | 541-575-1063 NOW RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FROM VETERAN HOMEOWNERS Community Connection has funds available for home repair for qualified veterans in Union, Wallowa, Baker and Grant counties. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: Electrical Plumbing Roof/Gutters Foundation Porches/Steps Windows/Doors Sagging Floors Heating System Add Ramps Widen Doorways Siding/Paint Insulation If you are a veteran who owns or is in the process of buying your home and you are interested in the Veteran’s Home Improvement Program, please call Community Connection at (541) 963-3186 for more information. Income limitations apply. 55392 Sale now until June 15, 2018. Give us a call for more special prices! 3 ⁄ 4 ” -0 State Spec Picked up - $7.00/ton Delivered - *$12.00/ton 1 1 ⁄ 2 ” -0 State Spec Holliday Park ~ May 27th ~ 1pm Picked up - $6.00/ton Delivered - *$11.00/ton 3” Commercial Picked up - $5.25/ton Delivered - *$10.25/ton RIP RAP Picked up - $12.00/ton Mary Ellen Brooks Asphalt • Redi-Mix • Gravel • Excavation • Driveways • Sidewalks Meat and drinks will be provided ~ Please bring a potluck dish RSVP to 541.421.3032 or 541.975.8175 46057 birthday *delivered price is within 15 miles of pit JOHN DAY, OREGON (541) 932-4888
