Beaverton, Ore. — During a Dec. 9 work session, the Beaverton SD 48J School Board and Human Capital Enterprises discussed refinements to the superintendent candidate criteria and generally agreed to move language emphasizing instruction and a demonstrated track record of improving student outcomes to the top of the criteria document before recruitment begins.

Christy Perry of Human Capital Enterprises said the subcommittee had folded in board feedback and roughly 90 public comments into the draft. "What's hard is you can't put everything here, right? So we try to capture the big ideas and the most important things to you, to your students, your families, and your community," Perry told the board.

Board member Doctor Potter requested that the bullet describing a candidate's "track record of improving outcomes for all students" be placed at the top of the first section so candidates see student success as the district’s central priority. Potter said that if a candidate cannot meet that standard, they should be able to stop reading. Several board members — including Doctor Perez and Director Carlson — supported elevating instruction and outcome language; some members expressed caution that reordering should not be read as strict prioritization but as a clearer signal to candidates.

Why it matters: The order and emphasis of candidate criteria shape how prospective superintendents present their qualifications and how recruitment materials frame district priorities. Consultants told the board the updated ordering will be used in outreach to candidates and in application materials.

Public comments and next steps: Perry said the subcommittee had reviewed comments from about 90 speakers and incorporated major themes into the draft. The board reached general consensus to move the instructional/outcome section to the top and asked staff to prepare a corrected draft for the upcoming board meeting. Human Capital Enterprises indicated the position will be posted and recruitment will begin once the board has the final draft available for vote and posting.

The work session concluded without a formal vote on the final text; the board asked staff to ensure the correct draft is included on the meeting packet for the next business meeting.