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QuickTake:
Springfield schools community members have until May 8 to give input on the interim superintendent search through a survey. The school board will screen and narrow down candidates with small stakeholder groups before having a public session to interview finalists and vote June 9.
The Springfield school board not only has a budget to pass in the next two months, but also an interim superintendent to hire.
Springfield Public Schools officially kicked off the process of finding a leader for the 2026-27 school year last week. Prospective candidates are submitting applications and the district is collecting responses to a stakeholder survey. Any community member, staff, student or caregiver can weigh in on what qualities and skills their new leader should possess.
The hiring process will play out in two closed school board sessions during May, followed by an open meeting on June 9. District, building and union leaders will be involved in the process, as well as student and parent representatives.
In the June 9 public meeting (the time for which has yet to be specified), the broader school community will also be able to participate. Audience members will see the interviews with the finalists, have the opportunity to give feedback online in real time and later watch the board make a decision.
Oregon law allows school boards to consider and narrow down superintendent candidates in executive sessions, but the board must make the final decision in public.
Springfield board members are searching for a candidate who can offer their district temporary stability as they search for a permanent superintendent.
After former superintendent Todd Hamilton resigned at the end of February amid a threatened lawsuit against board members, the board appointed Jodi O’Mara to fill the leadership position for the remaining four months of the school year. The board is now looking for an interim superintendent to be a one-year bridge between a year of disruption and a more stable future.
Interim superintendent salary
Springfield Public Schools is paying Grundmeyer Leader Services, a national educational leadership search firm, to guide the process. Three Oregon superintendents who are consultants with Grundmeyer will help with the search: Rob Hess, Central Linn School District interim superintendent; George Mendoza, La Grande School District superintendent; and Aaron Bayer, Oregon Trail School District superintendent.
The board decided on a $210,000-$250,000 salary range for the interim position after Grundmeyer representatives suggested a $220,000-$260,000 range based on the salaries of Oregon superintendents in districts of comparable size.
According to public records attained by Lookout Eugene-Springfield, former superintendent Todd Hamilton’s 2025-26 salary was $272,130, and acting superintendent Jodi O’Mara is earning $20,000 a month (equivalent to a $240,000 salary). Superintendent base salaries often rise by upwards of $15,000 to $35,000 with all annual stipends, allowances and other fringe benefits included.
Bayer and Hess said in the April 20 board meeting that having a competitive salary will be important for attracting the right candidates.
“It’s going to be a challenging job,” Hess said. “You’ve got a superintendent rebuilding, budget issues, no assistant superintendent — this person is going to earn every dollar.”
Preferred qualifications
Board members shared qualities they wanted to see in a superintendent candidate in their April 20 special meeting.
Their preferred candidate will be able to collaborate with staff and community members, clearly and transparently communicate, have experience with making difficult budget reductions and come with short-to-medium term solutions to issues Springfield schools face. Board Chair Jonathan Light also said he’s heard feedback from community members that they’d like a leader who might stay permanently, not just for the year-long term.
The community survey had about 400 responses as of April 27, according to Hess’ report at the Monday school board meeting. The survey includes nine questions, six of which are open-ended (and optional).
Light and O’Mara are choosing the composition of the two committees (each with five to seven members) that will participate in the initial screening process and semifinalist interviews with school board members. The board chair and superintendent will also determine who will serve on the committees that will interact with finalists. O’Mara said her vision is to have students, parents, district leaders and building leaders represented in finalist interviews.
