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Board elects new chair and approves acting‑superintendent qualifications; consent agenda passed
Summary
At the Jan. 29 meeting the St. Helens School District board approved consent agenda items, elected Matthew Douglas as board chair by a 3‑2 vote, and adopted criteria to screen candidates for the acting superintendent with a target start date of Feb. 3 if a candidate is selected.
St. Helens — The St. Helens School District board on Jan. 29 carried several governance actions: the board approved routine consent‑agenda items, elected a new chair, and approved the qualifications and screening rubric to select an acting superintendent.
Chair election: Board member Matthew Douglas was nominated and, after discussion, elected chair by a roll call that the board characterized as 3‑2. The board discussed the responsibilities of the chair — including setting agendas, enforcing rules of order and representing the district — and noted that the role requires close coordination with the superintendent. Board members urged Douglas to work with the vice chair and with other experienced members during transition work.
Acting superintendent qualifications and selection process: The board approved, by motion, a one‑page set of qualifications and screening criteria the district will use to evaluate candidates for the acting superintendent role. Acting Superintendent Webb said the rubric prioritizes student safety and well‑being, experience in instructional leadership and administration, policy implementation experience, ability to be an active listener and communicator, cultural awareness, and an Oregon administrative license (or reciprocal qualification). The board said Human Capital Enterprises (Hank Harris) has provided pro bono screening support. The board indicated that, if one or two candidates meet criteria, the board will interview them in executive session and could move to open‑session negotiations; the superintendent said the target start date for the next acting superintendent would be Monday, Feb. 3.
Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda — routine financial and administrative items — in a single motion.
Ending: Board members asked that OSBA run a board‑development session for the board and community; the district will also post information about budget‑committee openings and upcoming work sessions so residents may participate.
