Swisher stays in Sisters

Steve Swisher will remain Sisters Schools Superintendent. On Thursday, March 16, Swisher asked to be removed from consideration for the job of Superintendent of Bend Schools.

The Bend District later chose another candidate .

Swisher said that he and his wife, Novella, deliberated at length before making the decision to remain here. Considerations included community support, quality of life issues, and "where we want to make a difference," Swisher said.

"There was a lot of individual intervention by individuals expressing their well-wishes regardless of our final decision. Novella, through her life in the community, also received an outpouring of support. This made a difference," Swisher said.

Swisher also said that through the interview process in Bend, he determined that the fit between his objectives and those of the Bend School District may not have been perfect.

"The lack of questions concerning curriculum, student achievement and staff development gave me the impression that system is not ready to deal with some of the tough issues that all districts will face in a world of redirecting flat resources," Swisher said.

"Their immediate needs may be in a slightly different place."

Sisters schools face a number of challenges, including development of a master facilities plan, curriculum issues, staff development and, perhaps most worrisome, increasing costs in the face of flat or declining revenues.

Sisters is on a positive road and can become a model in the state on how to achieve these goals with limited resources, Swisher said.

"I can continue to work here and make a difference, not just in Sisters but possibly state-wide," said the superintendent.

"We are delighted beyond belief," said School Board Chairman Bill Reed.