Newberg-Dundee School Board Chair Nancy Woodward announced at the Tuesday, June 11 regular session that Superintendent Stephen W. Phillips, PhD, is on medical leave for two months.
Subsequently, the School Board unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Paula Radich, previously named Citizen of the Year, to serve as the district’s acting superintendent during Dr. Phillips’s absence. A swift appointment of an acting superintendent was necessary to maintain the continuity of district operations.
The board’s appointment of Dr. Radich is for a 60-day period, which may be extended if needed. She is doing it on a voluntary basis without any expectation of compensation. She is willing to start as soon as Wednesday, June 12.
Dr. Radich retired after 13 years as the Superintendent of the Newberg-Dundee Public Schools and 42 years in education. Following her retirement, Dr. Radich was appointed to serve as the Interim Superintendent in the Salem-Keizer and Beaverton school districts. She has also worked as an Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Teaching and Learning for the Oregon Department of Education.
Gayellyn Jacobson was appointed by the Board as the district’s Budget Officer and Deputy Clerk. This appointment was necessary for the continuity of financial operations for the district.