Community Members Invited to Provide Feedback at Open House on February 8
The High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) board of directors has selected three finalist candidates in the search for a new superintendent to replace Dr. Dennis Dempsey, who will be retiring in June after having served in education for more than 36 years. An open house will be held on Wednesday, February 8th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the HDESD offices at 145 SE Salmon Ave, Redmond. Community members and staff will have the opportunity to meet the candidates and provide feedback to the HDESD Board of Directors.
“This group of finalists brings a high level of experience and talent to the table in our search for a new superintendent,” said HDESD Board Chair Terry Rahmsdorff. “This is an important decision that will impact our local school districts and our board has taken it very seriously. We are looking forward to getting feedback from community members and HDESD staff as well,” added Rahmsdorff.
The HDESD is a regional support system that links school districts in Central Oregon to local, state and national education resources. The ESD works to help districts minimize duplication of services preserve local budgets and deliver special programs that might otherwise be unavailable to them. The High Desert Education Service District partners primarily with the school districts of Bend/LaPine, Crook County, Redmond and Sisters but also provides specialized services in seven counties in Central and Eastern Oregon.
The finalists for the superintendent position include:
Dr. Paul Andrews, executive director for the HDESD’s School Improvement Program where he oversees professional development opportunities for teachers and programs such as Career and Technical Education and Migrant Education. Andrews has worked in K-12 education for more than 20 years, 12 of which have been with HDESD, where he also served as director of special programs from 2003-2010.
John Rexford, deputy superintendent for Bend-La Pine Schools, where he oversees overall organization and leadership of operations and special education for the district. Rexford has worked in education for 27 years, 23 of which have been with Bend-La Pine Schools.
Michael Lasher, deputy superintendent for the Intermountain Education Service District where he oversees human resources, early intervention/early childhood special education and serves as chief operations officer. Lasher has worked in education for 25 years, 15 of which have been with the Intermountain Education Service District.
In addition to the open house for community members and staff, the candidates are scheduled for interviews, tours and meetings throughout the district on February 8th and 9th.
“Our board is passionate about bringing high quality, regional services to local school districts and students,” said Rahmsdorff. “Our primary goals are to ensure that families have access to special education services and that teachers have more time in the classroom because of the administrative support we are able to provide.”
