Superintendent Maloney reports completion of entry plan, commissions special education review and shortens para hiring timeline

Superintendent Dr. Christine Maloney told the board Jan. 28 that she has completed the action items in her entry plan and outlined several priorities and immediate steps, including commissioning a third‑party review of special education services and streamlining paraeducator hiring.

Entry plan completion and themes: Maloney said she filed her entry‑plan report and checked off action items in five priority goal areas: strengthening board‑superintendent governance relationships, understanding organizational capacity, strengthening family and community engagement, promoting a positive organizational climate and identifying critical issues affecting student performance. She described recurring themes from community and staff conversations: a desire for stability, better communication, attention to special education, student safety, social‑emotional learning and academic intervention.

Special education review and leadership changes: Maloney said she commissioned an external review of special education services and expected the report by February. She said early findings and conversations prompted immediate leadership reorganization in that department and that the district is hiring new leadership. The superintendent emphasized improved communication among related roles — clinical staff such as physical therapists and behavior analysts, principals and families — and said the review is intended to identify barriers and recommend fixes.

Para hiring and staffing: To address paraeducator shortages, Maloney said human resources shortened the para hiring timeline from five to three days and introduced supports so new paraeducators can be hired in a subtype position while they complete required exams and training. She said the staffing season is beginning and the district is reviewing its staffing model.

Community engagement and other items: Maloney described several engagement efforts — a BIPOC community leaders and allies group meeting quarterly, “coffee and conversations” with community members, and scheduled chats with staff — and noted she had accepted a seat on the Columbia River Economic Development Council board to strengthen community partnerships. She also said the district will produce a data dashboard by spring and is reviewing the impact of past budget cuts across departments.

Special education follow-up: Maloney reiterated that the district is actively recruiting new leadership in special education, restructuring some responsibilities and will share the external review results when available. The board asked clarifying questions about the schedule for a board retreat and supports for classified staff training; Maloney and staff said additional planning is in progress.

No formal board action was requested; this was an informational report.