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Vernonia board launches superintendent search after staff outline priorities
Summary
Vernonia School District 47J trustees began a superintendent search after staff identified priorities including support for CTE, special education, bilingual learners, and staff wellbeing; a consultant will run an anonymous survey March 20–April 10, 2026.
The Vernonia School District 47J board opened a work session and special meeting on March 18 to begin a search for a new superintendent and to gather staff and community input. Rob Hess, a consultant with Grundmeyer Leader Services, said he would lead community listening and a stakeholder survey to identify desired qualifications and characteristics for candidates.
Staff members who spoke during the session—Lee Costanzo, Camrin Eyrrick, Juliet Safier, Charise Ash, Ashley Ward, and Liz Woolsey—helped develop a list of qualifications the board will use in screening candidates. The list includes concrete areas of emphasis such as career and technical education (CTE) program support, special education support, advocacy for resources, and attention to staff wellbeing. On characteristics, staff emphasized a collaborative leader who understands rural education, communicates clearly, and builds trust across the district.
The board agreed the consultant will finalize an anonymous survey to broaden input. Rob Hess told the board the survey will be open March 20 through April 10, 2026, and that responses would go to GLS rather than the district to preserve anonymity. The board asked that community members interested in participating in screening or interviews email the board.
