Keyser named principal of Sisters High School

Boyd Keyser has accepted the job of principal at Sisters High School. Keyser is currently principal at Central High School, serving the towns of Independence and Monmouth.

"Boyd was one of three very qualified final candidates," said Sisters Schools Superintendent Steve Swisher, who stressed that the Sisters School Board still has to ratify the selection.

Keyser was one of 24 who expressed interest in the job. The district interviewed 7 candidates; three were finalists.

Swisher said that as principal at Central, Keyser emphasized academic achievement and technology, and was "extremely visible in classroom and community events."

Keyser created effective evaluation systems for teachers, not only at Central but also at McMinneville, where he worked before, Swisher said.

"He provides good teacher feedback and tools to help their instruction. When you talk to staff, students and parents, (they say) what a good listener and facilitator he is, and also how things happened as a result of his work."

Keyser graduated from The Dalles High School in 1977, from Western OregonCollege in 1982, earned a masters in Education from Linfield in 1991 and an administrative license in 1996 from Lewis and Clark College, according to Swisher.

Swisher also said that Keyser's strengths included "a very genuine rapport with students, not only here, but seeing him in action in his home school; strong emphasis on curriculum, academics and the arts; he is a problem-solver (with an) ability to work with people from all walks of life."

Keyser has one son who is a sophomore at the University of Oregon, another son graduating from high school this year, and an eight-year-old daughter.

If his contract is ratified by the Sisters School Board, Keyser will replace Dennis Dempsey, who has accepted a job with the Deschutes County Education Service District.