Newberg‑Dundee board approves three‑year contract for superintendent

The Newberg‑Dundee School District Board of Directors voted 6–1 on Sept. 9 to approve a three‑year employment contract for Superintendent Dave Parker, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. The vote followed a lengthy public and board discussion about whether to conduct a full superintendent search or extend Parker's term.

The action matters because it moves the district from an interim arrangement toward a multi‑year agreement while board members said they will continue community outreach and plan for an eventual national search when conditions allow. The meeting featured staff analysis of regional superintendent pay and multiple board members expressing support for stability as the district implements multi‑year academic and budget plans.

Parker presented a contract proposal and an independent comparative analysis of 10 similarly sized districts. He said the package would set his base salary at $195,000 and total compensation, including TSA and other allowances, at roughly $227,980, and that those figures put him modestly above the regional average shown in the analysis. The board’s district counsel reviewed the proposed contract for legal compliance, and staff confirmed the budget can absorb the compensation as part of the district’s approved fiscal plan.

Board discussion touched on process and public engagement. Director Celeste Jones cast the lone dissenting vote and said she was concerned that the board had not sought broader stakeholder input before approving a non‑search hiring action. Other directors, including James Wolfer and Saul Allen, said they preferred stability after a period of turnover and financial strain and praised Parker’s work on district priorities.

Parker told the board he would continue work on strategic planning, boundary review and the district’s instructional priorities. The board will hold public superintendent evaluation work as scheduled in spring; members noted state assessment data typically arrive too late in the year to be part of that evaluation and asked staff to provide interim, locally held performance indicators.

The motion on the record read: “I move that the Newberg Dundee School District Board of Directors approve the superintendent's contract as amended, effective 07/01/2025 for a term of 3 years through 06/30/2028.” The motion passed by roll call: James Wolfer (aye), Andy Byerly (aye), Aubrey Nichols (aye), Deb Bridges (aye), Jeremy Hayden (aye), Saul Allen (aye); Celeste Jones (nay).