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June 5, 2024
PPS Board of Education Appoints Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong as the next Superintendent for Portland Public Schools
This morning, the School Board voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong as our next superintendent. Dr. Armstrong, former Chief Academic Officer for PPS, is just what the district needs in this time of opportunity and challenge.
She has a demonstrated record of advancing student achievement, addressing racial inequities, and closing the achievement gap for students of color through her dynamic approach to classroom innovation, curriculum enhancement, and professional development.
In addition to her academic and professional credentials, she is ready to start on Day One, bringing a deep understanding of Oregon, Portland and PPS as a parent, educational leader and an active member of the community.
The Board led a comprehensive and inclusive selection process, guided by clear criteria for finding an authentic and inclusive, transparent, fiscally accountable educational leader committed to advancing equity. A nationwide search culminated in a series of staff, student and community engagements with the final candidates.
We are confident that her experience as a teacher, a coach, a principal, a parent and national educational leader, as well as a former intercollegiate basketball player, will translate to the kind of visionary leadership and community teamwork needed to propel PPS into a new era of excellence.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Armstrong back to PPS on July 1, 2024!
May 21, 2024
PPS Board of Education Announces Superintendent Finalists and Schedule of Activities
The Portland Public Schools Board of Education met in executive session on May 14 with Human Capital Enterprises to deliberate on the five semi-finalist applicants for the role of superintendent.
The Board has chosen to advance the following three finalists for second-round interviews and community activities scheduled May 28-31:
Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong of Vancouver, Washington: Dr. Armstrong currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent for Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver, Washington where she has held the position since 2023. Prior to her tenure in Evergreen, Dr. Armstrong held the position of Chief Academic Officer for Portland Public Schools from 2022-2023. She served as the Associate Superintendent for Santa Rosa City Schools from 2021-22. Earlier, from 2020-2021 she served as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for Tamalpais Union High School District in Marin County, California. Dr. Armstrong brings more than 25 years of public education experience and holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Teaching from City University of Seattle.
Dr. Paul Cruz of Austin, Texas: Dr. Cruz, a former superintendent of schools in Austin Independent School District is currently both the Professor of Practice and Co-Director of the Cooperative Superintendency Program at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to being the superintendent of Austin ISD he served in the role of Chief of Schools for Austin ISD and earlier served as superintendent of Laredo ISD. Earlier in his career he served in roles ranging from classroom teacher to campus administrator. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Corpus Christi State University. He is a member of multiple boards and advisory committees including the Council of Great City Schools. He has over three decades of public school experience.
Dr. Iton O. Udosenata of Salem, Oregon: Dr. Udosenata currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent of Salem-Keizer Public Schools, a position he has held since 2023. Previously, he served as the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education in Salem-Keizer from 2020-23. Prior to his tenure in Salem-Keizer, Dr. Udosenata served as principal of North Eugene High School from 2017-2020 and principal of Cottage Grove High School from 2013-2017. Dr. Udosenata has 20 years of public education experience in Oregon and California. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and a Master of Education from the University of Oregon. Dr. Udosenata currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA), having previously served as COSA President from 2020-2021 and COSA Past President from 2021-2022.
In addition to second-round interviews with the Board, finalists will participate in a student interview panel; a principal and administrator panel; a labor leader meet and greet; and a community event for students, staff, families and community members to attend.
Members of the public are invited to attend the community event on Tuesday, May 28 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Grant High School, 2245 NE 36th Ave. During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and greet finalists, listen to opening remarks prepared by each finalist, and hear candidate responses to community questions submitted in advance. Members of the public can suggest possible questions to be asked at the community event to Human Capital Enterprises online by May 24 at 5:00 p.m. Questions for the event will be selected by lottery and theme.
Community event schedule:
- 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.: Meet and greet with all finalists
- 7:05 - 7:35 p.m.: Breakout session 1
- 7:45 - 8:15 p.m.: Breakout session 2
- 8:25 - 8:55 p.m.: Breakout session 3
At the end of each session, attendees will have time to complete a feedback form which will be shared with the board as part of their deliberations. Community members are encouraged to stay for the duration of the event so that they have an opportunity to hear all three presentations. Food and childcare will be provided. Please indicate if you are attending here.
Finalists will undergo multiple telephone reference checks as well as a full background investigation. That information, along with a thorough review of community event feedback, candidate qualifications, and candidate experiences will inform the Board during closed session interviews and deliberations that will occur between May 30 and June 1. The Board anticipates acting on the sole finalist contract and superintendent appointment in an open Special Board Meeting to be scheduled for mid-June.
If you have questions about the process, we welcome you to connect with us at SuperintendentSearch@pps.net.
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February 23, 2024
PPS School Board Hires a Superintendent Search Recruitment Firm
The Portland Public Schools Board of Directors is committed to finding the right leader for our unique and wonderful community and have chosen to hire a search consultant to help plan the process and conduct a nationwide search for leaders of enormous potential.
After an Informal Request for Proposal (IRFP) process, the Board has selected Human Capital Enterprises to lead a comprehensive recruitment process that will span the duration of this school year and lead the hiring of Portland Public Schools Next Superintendent.
On February 21st, the Board held a work session to begin planning for the process of the Superintendent Search. The process to begin identifying the criteria for the Next Superintendent has not yet begun, but candidates who are interested in learning more should contact Human Capital Enterprises directly.
The Board will hold its next work session on the Superintendent Search on March 4th.
January 4, 2024
PPS School Board Taps Veteran Educator as PPS Interim Superintendent
Dr. Sandy Husk Brings Track Record of Supporting School Teams To Improve Student Achievement and Equity
The Portland Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Sandy Husk, who has 18 years of experience as a public school superintendent and a track record of promoting and supporting student achievement and equity, as the interim superintendent for Portland Public Schools. She starts February 12 providing a short transition before Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero wraps up his tenure on February 16.
Board members Julia Brim-Edwards and Andrew Scott, who led the process to identify, recruit and hire an interim superintendent, on Thursday night recommended the Board appoint Dr. Husk as the interim superintendent. The Board identified desired criteria for the interim superintendent, including a track record as an effective public school superintendent, experience leading a large Oregon school district or system, and an advocate of educational equity.
“Dr. Husk matches our Board’s criteria for an interim superintendent,” says Board Chair Gary Hollands. “She is an experienced school superintendent who led Oregon‘s second largest school district for more than 7 years and has a track record of promoting equity, proven instructional strategies and a culture of teamwork among all school employees.”
The School Board has begun the process for the recruitment of a new permanent superintendent and has indicated that Husk won’t be a candidate for the position.
“I’m pleased to be in a position where I can use my professional experience to contribute to student success in Portland,” Husk said. “My job will be to provide continuity and support for policies, programs and a budget that strengthen learning for all students in Portland Public Schools. I believe the central office exists to support what goes on in every school.”
Immediate tasks awaiting Husk include working with the Board and PPS staff to rebuild relationships after a month-long teacher strike and implementing the new contract in partnership with the Portland Association of Teachers, finalizing contracts with other represented employees, managing the Spring budget adoption process, including advising on needed budget cuts, continuing the modernization of Benson and the planning for Jefferson High School as well as the Center for Black Student Excellence. Portland Public Schools also is expected to ask voters in May to renew a local option levy to pay for at least 800 teachers annually.
“PPS students, parents, teachers and staff have endured a challenging fall,” Husk said. “I have a strong belief in empowering all school employees with good data, best practices, and supports to promote student success in every classroom, every day.”
Husk served as superintendent of Salem-Keizer Public Schools from 2006 to 2014. During her tenure, the district’s graduation rate rose and its dropout rate decreased. She successfully shepherded a bond measure to build new schools and renovate existing ones, which was accomplished on time and under budget. She also became a statewide leader on school reform that included advocacy for full-day kindergarten, while maintaining an active role in Salem-area community organizations.
“Dr. Husk walked into the Salem-Keizer School District seven years ago with a monumental challenge facing her: Rebuild the community’s trust in the district,” according to a 2013 editorial in the Salem Statesman-Journal. “Husk accomplished that and much more. She leaves behind a school district that has embraced her mantra of being relentlessly focused on student achievement.”
George Russell, a member of the Oregon Board of Education and former superintendent of Eugene School District 4J when Husk led Salem-Keizer Public Schools, described her as “very bright and very intuitive”. “She puts kids first,” Russell says. “She has a sense of how to keep on track to meet the needs of all students and is very sensitive to students who struggle. Her career reflects a commitment to educational equity, including bringing more teachers of color into classrooms.”
Before coming to Salem, Husk served as superintendent for public school districts in north Denver and Clarksville-Montgomery County, Tennessee. After leaving Salem, Husk served as the chief executive officer for the AVID Center in San Diego, a nonprofit that provides professional support to assist schools shift to a more equitable, student-centered approach and train educators to close the opportunity gap to prepare students for college, careers and life.
Husk began her career in education as an elementary school teacher and counselor, principal of an elementary school and alternative middle school, and also has served as a district supervisor of staff development and executive director of teaching and learning.
Husk earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in guidance and counseling at the University of Colorado and a Ph.D. in administration, curriculum and supervision at the University of Colorado, Denver.
She has maintained active involvement in national educational organizations, including as interim CEO for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, which helps classroom teachers, principals and superintendent learn and apply new teaching strategies. During 2023, Husk served in education-related executive-in-residence roles while working remotely from her home in Sisters, Oregon. She plans to live in Portland while serving as interim superintendent.