News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Al Butler of Clio, Michigan, and Steve Swisher of Cottage Grove, Oregon, held forth for over three hours Sunday, fielding questions -- and asking a few of their own -- of some 30 people who turned out to meet them.
He reflected on his experience with finding ways to fund critical maintenance projects in Clio schools and noted that the key to solving tough problems is to get all the affected parties involved in identifying needs.
Butler emphasized the importance of clear policies and chain of command.
"I'm big on policy," he said. "I used to believe that an enlightened superintendent didn't need policies, that you'd always make the right decision. I don't believe that anymore."
Butler said he had written policies on everything from appropriate dress to curriculum development to board-supervisor relationships.
Swisher -- who recently served four years as superintendent of South Lane Count School District in Cottage Grove -- described himself as skilled at building community consensus and as "the kind of guy who jumps into things up to my neck."
Swisher said he has experience in districts of similar size and composition to Sisters.
He has served on two study committees that explored year-round education and he said he believes YRE could help students retain learning.
"That's what I would really call the right reason to do it," Swisher said. "If you don't have the finances or the space, that's a right reason, too, but a better reason is to better educate the students."
Both candidates have had experience with tough decisions surrounding cutting programs and trying to raise funds for buildings and maintenance.
School board members indicated that they received extensive and insightful comments from those who attended the forum and that both candidates are very strong. They indicated that a choice between them would be very tough.
The board expects to offer a contract to one of the candidates by March 1.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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