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Board elects Matthew Douglas as chair; approves superintendent screening criteria and acknowledges property donation
Summary
The St. Helens School District board elected Matthew Douglas chair by a 3–2 vote, approved qualifications for an acting superintendent, accepted a property donation for CTE programs, and passed routine consent items.
The St. Helens School District board held several formal votes at its Jan. 29 meeting, selecting a board chair, approving criteria to screen candidates for an acting superintendent, and acknowledging a donation of property to support career-technical education.
Chair election: Board member Matthew Douglas was elected board chair by a 3–2 vote after a nomination and second. The public portion of the meeting recorded the motion, second and the outcome; the transcript records the vote as "by a vote of 3 to 2" without a roll-call of individual votes.
Superintendent qualifications: The board moved and seconded a motion to approve the screening criteria and qualifications for the next acting superintendent. The approved criteria include prioritizing student safety and well-being, demonstrated leadership in inclusive schools, experience with operational and fiscal systems, a preference for prior superintendent or central-office administrative experience, and possession of an Oregon administrative license or eligibility for reciprocity. The board member who motioned said the list will be used to screen applicants; the district will invite qualified candidates into executive-session interviews next week, and, if appropriate, return to open session to authorize negotiations. The meeting noted a target start date for the acting superintendent of Monday, Feb. 3 (as stated by staff in the meeting).
Property donation: The board acknowledged a donation of roughly one acre of residential property (Columbia County Tax Lot 13066; Tracts 9 and 10 Greenwood Acres) from Steve and Julie Mood (DBA CM and CNM Investments, LLC) to support St. Helens High School CTE (construction/renovation and heavy equipment programs). The superintendent read the donation letter and noted the district's tax ID and IRS requirements: donated property is received with the district retaining discretion over use consistent with exempt purposes.
Consent agenda and other items: The board approved the consent agenda in one motion. The meeting also scheduled follow-up meetings and a board work session with OSBA for board development.
Why this matters: Electing a chair affects board leadership and the conduct of meetings during a period of district transition; approving superintendent screening criteria moves the district toward a short-term leadership replacement; and the property donation provides land for the district’s CTE programs. Several of these items will affect near-term budget and staffing decisions.
Ending: Board members noted plans for a formal hiring process for the acting superintendent and additional board training with OSBA; the meeting adjourned after a brief executive-session notice and scheduling updates.
