Beaverton School District board members met Dec. 3 for a work session to review draft criteria for the district’s next superintendent after consultants said they had collected more than 1,600 responses from focus groups and an online survey.

Christie, a consultant with Human Capital Enterprise, told the board, "we had over 1,600 respondents," and said the outreach included multilingual outreach so staff could hear from multiple language groups. Kathleen, her colleague, summarized four headline qualities the team distilled from the feedback: "authentic, approachable and trustworthy communicator," "visible, relatable and deeply committed," "experienced, student-centered champion deeply committed to equity," and "ethical, values-driven instructional and operational steward."

Board members praised the engagement but urged edits to make the one-page criteria more practical and actionable. "We have a majority minority district," Director Perez said, arguing the criteria should call out proven instructional leadership and experience with multilingual, multiethnic communities. Several members asked that the criteria explicitly note strategic planning and the ability to implement the district’s existing strategic plan, and to strengthen language about fiscal stewardship to reflect upcoming work on bonds and levies.

Multiple directors urged adding collaboration and student voice as priorities. The board asked for student input to be not only elevated but tied to outcomes: "It's not just listening," one board member said; it should be "using that information to impact something." Members also discussed whether language on student safety should be more actionable; one speaker implored the board to "protect our kids," asking that safety responsibilities be clear in the expectations for the next superintendent.

Consultants said they will convert the strengths and challenges into a memo and recruiting tool for applicants. They also asked board members to submit suggested wording: Carrie will collect proposed edits by Sunday morning so the superintendent search subcommittee can meet at noon, produce a redraft and return a revised document for the Dec. 9 work session. The consultants reminded the board that the public comment period on the draft closes Friday at 4 p.m.

Director Perez raised a potential scheduling conflict: the board’s planned first-round interviews on Feb. 5 could overlap with the start of the Oregon short legislative session; staff said they would review the timeline.

No formal motions or votes were taken at the work session. The consultants’ presentation and the board’s requested edits will inform a redraft by the superintendent search subcommittee and further review at upcoming meetings.