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40 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 29, 2004 McCollum becomes first female MSD superintendent By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune The Medford School District has chosen one of its own — retiring Director of Elementary Education Kathy McCollum — as interim superintendent. She’s also the first woman to ever serve in that office. McCollum, 53, who has been with the district for 27 of her 30 years as an educator, will take a year-long stint as head of the district July 1. "I think she is the right person at the right time," school board Chairman Mike Moran said. "She knows the system and this keeps our team together." The district, with help from the Oregon School Board Association, started looking for an interim leader after Superintendent Dick Gregory announced his resignation in March. Advertisement Five people applied for the position and the board selected four to interview, Moran said. One candidate withdrew before the interviews. After interviews, the board chose a finalist, but that candidate already had an offer from a district in California, Moran said. During the process, Moran and several other board members had talked to McCollum, wishing that she had applied. When the board didn’t find a match among the applicants, they offered the job to her. "I was surprised my name came up," McCollum said. "I thought it was an honor and I thought I could help with the transition." A self-described "life-long learner," McCollum had wrapped up classes at the University of Oregon this winter to earn her superintendent credentials. She said she wanted the educational accomplishment and thought it might open doors to one day taking an interim position in a small district where she and her husband could explore another area of Oregon. But first, she planned to retire at the end of this school year and spend six months traveling. She and her husband already had put a deposit on an apartment in Florence, Italy, for the fall. Instead, she’ll spend the next month working with Gregory to ease into a new challenge. "My first priority is to get through this budget crisis and gain the faith of the public that we have the students’ interest first," she said. She plans to focus on teamwork and support for all district employees. Gregory praised McCollum’s leadership and communication skills. "She’s very collaborative and includes people in decisions. This is a big plus for the district." Nominated for the honor by Griffin Creek Elementary School Principal Ginny Hicks, McCollum this spring was awarded the Oregon Excellence in Education Award from Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary organization of women educators. As interim superintendent, McCollum will earn a $100,000 salary, the same amount she earned as elementary education director and slightly less than the $107,000 Gregory earned, Moran said. As a retiree, she will draw the pension she earned in her years with the district, and the district won’t have to contribute to the Public Employee Retirement System for her. McCollum said she has filed paperwork for her PERS benefits but doesn’t know how much it will be. PERS will significantly increase her income while she’s working for the district. The district drew criticism for rehiring retired Superintendent Steve Wisely for the 2002-03 school year and not announcing that he had retired, but Moran said this situation is different. Rather than letting an employee continue in a post after retirement, McCollum is being hired in a new post based on the district’s needs, he said. Many applicants for interim superintendent jobs are retired administrators, who are willing to take a temporary post with little potential for a long-term career, Moran said. The district plans to start a search for its next regular superintendent in September. Moran expects to have to offer a salary of $120,000 to be competitive. As for McCollum’s replacement, Curriculum Director Phil Long will take on elementary education director duties in addition to his other work. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities