School board approves contract

The Sisters School Board Monday night approved a two-year contract for Lynn Baker as the district's superintendent, starting July 1.

For the past five months, the 54-year-old educator has been serving as interim superintendent with a one-year contract.

This decision relieves the board of any need to begin yet another search for a chief executive. More than a year ago, board members undertook an extensive search for someone to replace Steve Swisher, who had given notice that he would retire at the end of the 2002-03 school year.

That search produced a couple of rude surprises. The board's first choice for the job, Doug Jantzi, an administrator with Central Point schools, withdrew during a second-round interview during which the board was prepared to offer him the job. The board's second choice, Charles Hellman, superintendent of Rogue River schools, enthusiastically accepted the job when it was proffered but withdrew a few weeks later because he and the board could not agree on contract terms.

With growing frustration, the board then launched a shorter search for an interim person to work for just one year.

The Oregon School Boards Association maintains a list of potential candidates for interim work, composed largely of retired administrators.

Baker put his name on the list when he heard that Sisters was in the market.

A Washington native, he had been a teacher and administrator in Washington schools for 30 years.

He had been superintendent of Cashmere schools in central Washington for the previous four years but was interested in Oregon partly because the Washington retirement system financially penalizes those who work longer.

Baker beat out three retired Oregon administrators who were also interviewed for the Sisters position.

From the beginning, he emphasized that he hoped to come to Sisters for more than just a year.

He made it clear that he would be a candidate for the position on a permanent basis.

He has gotten his wish now in the form of a contract that will carry through June of 2006. His annual salary is set at $91,800 for 2004-05 and $93,636 for the following year, with a provision for possible adjustments.

Board Chairman Glen Lasken said the general terms of the contract are quite similar to those under which Steve Swisher worked.

He said Baker would have liked a longer term but was satisfied with the two-year commitment for now.