Santiam Canyon board reviews OSBA superintendent evaluation; schedules Dec. 16 executive-session check-in

The Santiam Canyon School District Board of Directors received a superintendent evaluation training from Kristen Miles of the Oregon School Boards Association at a Nov. 20 work session.

Ms. Miles reviewed the structure the OSBA recommends for superintendent evaluations, noting that the framework rests on eight national performance standards and a five-part OSBA Evaluation Tool. "Ms. Miles reviewed the eight national performance standards that form the foundation of the superintendent evaluation and outlined the five components of the OSBA Evaluation Tool," she told the board during the training. She said districts often use only two or three components during a superintendent's first year to keep the process manageable.

The facilitator emphasized using artifacts and evidence to document communication, leadership and operational effectiveness and recommended regular check-ins. Ms. Miles recommended that check-ins occur at least quarterly and said that first-year evaluations should generally not include community or staff surveys because national data show early surveys are unreliable. The district staff present confirmed the district will continue its existing climate and culture surveys for staff, students and families.

On goal-setting, Ms. Miles advised goals be measurable, limited to no more than three, and proposed initially by the superintendent with final goals developed collaboratively by the board and superintendent. The board agreed to hold its first check-in on superintendent goals in an executive session during the Dec. 16 board meeting, at which Superintendent Krista Nieraeth will report progress on goals shared in September.

Ms. Miles also reviewed Oregon law governing executive sessions, stressing that any executive-session discussion be tied to the specific Oregon Revised Statutes authority cited for the session. She offered to help compile board feedback into a draft summary and assist in developing a unified written evaluation statement; the board indicated interest in that assistance.

Superintendent Krista Nieraeth said she welcomes constructive feedback and is committed to transparency and continuous improvement. The training concluded with clarification of upcoming meeting dates and procedures and an agreement that Ms. Miles would assist with the district's evaluation process.