Theresa Peters named interim D21 superintendent

By Tom Peterson

Dry Hollow Elementary Principal Theresa Peters received a unanimous nod to be the interim North Wasco County School District superintendent at a special meeting held today,  April 30, at 6:20 p.m.

She will lead the district’s seven schools and some 3,000 students during the course of the coming school year.

“Thank you very much for this opportunity,” Peters told the board. “I look forward to working closely with the board and continuing to work closely with my fellow administrators and the team in the district. I agree; next year is going to be filled with challenges. But one thing I know is the staff in North Wasco supports each other, and we will get through it together.” 

The Dalles High School Principal Kurt Evans and the district's Human Resources Administrator Brian Schimel were also vying for the position.

School board members agreed during the Zoom meeting that it was a hard choice, noting all the applicants are “top notch.”

“Thank you,” said Board Member Jose Aparicio to all the applicants. “It’s been a tough year on all of us with the superintendent search during the pandemic. You guys have risen above by jumping in the middle of it. I appreciate it. It’s not a decision any of you took lightly. It’s something you did with a lot of thought. 

Board Member Solea Kabakov made the motion to direct attorney Jason Corey to negotiate and hire Peters. Rasmussen seconded the motion, and the board voted unanimously in favor. 

“It takes a rare person in time of such need and uncertainty,” said Board Member Dawn Rasmussen to all three candidates. “You put yourself in the fire here... The board will have your back. We have to get through this together. It's not an easy thing to do, and there is not a lot of certainty. That says a lot about  your character and integrity...” 

Background:

Peters’ interim position is slated to start July 1, 2020. The search for a permanent superintendent will resume in January. And that hire is expected to be complete before July 1, 2021. Presumably, Peters will also be vying for the position at that time.

Earlier this spring, three other superintendent candidates from outside the school district were interviewed by a committee and the board, but none garnered favor. The decision to look internally then began. 

D21 provided the following: Peters is currently the Dry Hollow Elementary School Principal and started her administrative career in 2002 as the Special Education Coordinator for Chenowith School District. She has been an elementary school principal in North Wasco County School District since 2006 and has been at Dry Hollow since 2010. Mrs. Peters has been the Lead Elementary Principal since 2015.

Mrs. Peters quoted the following: “With the privilege of being a teacher and principal comes a tremendous responsibility to provide the best for our community’s children and families. As an educator I have always kept our students and their best interest at the heart of my decisions. To me, this is a big part of being an ethical educator and leader, especially when it comes to decisions that impact education for all of our students. I take this responsibility very seriously, and work to make decisions based on data, which are rooted in equity.”

Edit - 5/1/2020

Please find full press release from North Wasco Schools Below