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CLOUDY Temp: 38 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, April 2, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 14, 2003 Fourteen vie for Medford superintendent post By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune A nationwide search for Medford’s next school superintendent closed last week, with 14 qualified candidates turning in applications. But John Young of the Oregon School Board Association said while the number may appear high, it’s lower than normal thanks to the state’s current budget crisis. "The number of applicants is smaller all around," said Young, who is directing the search for Medford School District’s top administrator. "We’ve had a lot of bad press about our financial difficulties," he added. "Oregon seems to have a reputation, the worst reputation, for that." It’s a problem that extends beyond Medford, Young said on Thursday. For example, the school district in Springfield, which has 11,085 students, had 15 applicants for a new superintendent this month. The Springfield district is similar in size to the Medford district, which had 12,785 students enrolled as of Feb. 28. The Eagle Point School District recently hired a new superintendent. Eighteen candidates applied for that position. Members of the Medford school board and the local superintendent screening committee said they’re happy with the quality of the candidates. "I’m impressed," said Dan Zaklan, Medford’s secondary education director and a member of the screening committee. "I think there are some qualified people who see this (job opening) as an opportunity." The Medford district isn’t releasing the names of the 14 applicants. However, the district will release the names of the final two or three candidates. Young said nobody from the Medford district applied for the job, despite rumors that a few central office administrators would throw their hats in the ring. The applicants are a mix of Oregon residents and out-of-state administrators, said Young. The Medford job opening would be a step up for all applicants, Young added. The majority of candidates work at school districts with between 4,000 and 8,000 students. No salary range has been announced for the newly hired superintendent. Medford’s current superintendent, Steve Wisely, earns $114,000 in salary. He retires in June. The screening committee is expected to select the top six applicants sometime this week. Background checks and interviews will follow. "It’s an excellent process. It’s kind of fun," said board Chairman Mike Moran. "I think we have some really good applicants to chose from." Wisely will retire June 30, and a replacement will take over his position on July 1. The local search committee and school board plan to make a final decision by April 15. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S