Bill Newton speaks with Vince Ready at a community forum April 11. Newton was recently named permanent superintendent of Hood Rive County School District. He has been serving in the interim position since last July.Trisha Walker photo
Bill Newton speaks with Vince Ready at a community forum April 11. Newton was recently named permanent superintendent of Hood Rive County School District. He has been serving in the interim position since last July.Trisha Walker photo
HOOD RIVER — The Hood River County School District Board of Directors named Bill Newton its permanent superintendent April 23.
Newton was appointed interim superintendent at a special board meeting last July. The district began the formal process for a permanent superintendent in October that included digital surveys and in-person meetings with focus groups of staff, high school students and community members. Applications were screened by a committee that included licensed, confidential, and classified staff members, administrators, parents and guardians, and community members.
The final two candidates — Newton and Meagan Dawson of Bellingham — were scheduled to appear together at a forum April 4. Newton was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, so the forums took place separately, Newton’s rescheduled for April 11.
At the forum, Newton emphasized the importance of building relationships with students, families and colleagues, and managing financial challenges in education — particularly in times of budget cuts. He also talked about mental health, student outcomes and the need to stay up to date with curriculum.
Newton has worked with students from diverse backgrounds, including at a bilingual program in La Paz, Bolivia, before coming to work for Hood River County as the principal of Westside Elementary. He has also served as the district’s curriculum and instructor coordinator.
“I want you all to know that I am honored and excited to continue working with all of you next year as superintendent,” Newton told board members at the April 24 meeting. “Despite the difficult times and challenges we have faced this year, I continue to believe that HRCSD has many positives and a strong foundation from which to build. I am excited to continue collaborating and leading with our amazing staff, community and all of you to improve student outcomes in our school district.”
Mailey named AD
Sean Mailey was offered the permanent athletic director position at Hood River Valley High School in mid-April; he has been serving in the role as interim AD.
Sean Mailey
“Over the past year, Sean has demonstrated a strong work ethic, an ability to connect with our students and families, a passion for athletics and HRVHS, and experiences to draw from and share new ideas,” Newton said.
Interviews for the principal position at both Hood River Options Academy and May Street Elementary School were scheduled for the week of April 22, and Newton was hopeful that an announcement would be made soon.
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Stephanie Hoppe, communications director, Hood River County School District, contributed to this article.
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