Document text
51 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, April 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend March 17, 2004 Board will seek 1-year leader with flexibility Medford schools will get search assistance from state group By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Medford School Board members on Tuesday vowed to seek an interim leader who echoes the flexible management style of Superintendent Dick Gregory, who resigned last week. "In what I’ve observed, the open, collaborative style that Dick Gregory has come into this district with is welcome in this district," said board member Larry Nicholson. "There has not been any resistance." Added board member Cynthia Wright: "We all appreciate the changes he’s made and the doors he’s opened." A formal search for a one-year interim superintendent will begin in April, with a replacement for Gregory likely in place by early June, said board Chairman Mike Moran. Moran said he couldn’t comment on potential candidates for the post. Advertisement "I can confirm that there is interest," Moran said. Gregory, 62, resigned last week amid controversy surrounding a job search. He cited unexpected problems and an entrenched district "culture" among his chief reasons for wanting to leave. A new superintendent will come at a difficult time. The district, like most Oregon districts, faces budget uncertainty that could require an estimated $4 million in further reductions. Potentially contentious contract negotiations with the teachers’ union begin this month. The one bright spot in losing Gregory less than a year after he was hired is that the district gets free help finding a new superintendent. It’s a part of a "warranty" included in a hiring contract with the Oregon School Boards Association. Two OSBA consultants were in Medford Tuesday to offer advice to board members. They admitted it could be difficult finding candidates to step into the state’s eighth-largest school district this late in the school year. But John Young, OSBA executive director, said the district needs a veteran administrator to tackle its problems. "A district this size requires good, solid experience," he said. Questions about the internal "culture" of a district shouldn’t concern an interim superintendent too much, Young said. A temporary leader will come in for a year, take care of business and leave, he said. He dismissed the notion that such a person would be used as a vehicle for unpopular decisions. "I would hope there’s no hatchet person coming in," Young said. Gregory was hired last April to replace Steve Wisely, who ran the district for 18 years. Gregory said a culture nurtured during the past two decades was difficult to overcome. Wisely said Gregory faced no more challenges than any other superintendent. Board members said they would be sorry to see Gregory go come June. "You’ve given us a vision of quality leadership," board member Tricia Prendergast said. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, 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 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times