The Canby School District on Wednesday announced three finalists to replace current Superintendent Trip Goodall, who is stepping down when his contract expires at the end of June.
Allen Barber
Allen Barber is currently principal of Eagle Point Middle School in Jackson County, Oregon.
Barber previously served as human resources director, secondary ed director, and AVID district director for the Eagle Point School District. He’s also been a middle school principal and assistant principal — and received the Oregon Symphony’s annual Patty Vemer Music Educator of the Year Award. in 2006.
Barber earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Western Kentucky University and lives in Eagle Point.
Allen Barber will hold a public meet and greet from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. June 1 via Zoom: https://canby-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/85767871654. Spanish-language interpretation will be provided.
Aaron Downs
Dr. Aaron Downs currently serves as assistant superintendent of secondary schools in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. He previously served as the principal of Wilsonville High School, as well a high school teacher, advisor, and coach.
Downs earned a bachelor’s degree from George Fox University and a doctorate of education from Lewis and Clark College and lives in Clackamas County with his wife and children.
Downs will hold a public meet and greet from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. June 1 via Zoom: https://canby-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/85767871654. Spanish-language interpretation will be provided.
Bret Heller
Bret Heller is currently assistant superintendent of teaching and learning at the West Ada School District in Meridian, Idaho, where he has served for more than 20 years. Mr. Heller earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Idaho. He is currently completing his Ph.D in educational leadership.
Heller previously served as director of curriculum and instruction for West Ada schools. He has also been a high school and middle school principal and teacher.
Heller will hold a public meet and greet from 6 to 7 p.m. June 2 via Zoom: https://canby-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/85767871654. Spanish-language interpretation will be provided.
The district’s Board of Directors has contracted with GR Recruiting, a nationwide educational hiring and consulting services firm, to lead the search for Canby’s next superintendent.
The district began advertising the position last month following a series of virtual community focus groups. Board members interviewed the most promising candidates in closed session on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and winnowed the field down to their chosen finalists.
Canby School District on Twitter: “Canby School Board Selects Superintendent Finalists – https://t.co/HbReWGFejt—————–La Mesa Directiva de Canby Selecciona a los Finalistas para el Puesto de Superintendente – https://t.co/YT0jAHYY3C pic.twitter.com/SDfcoQP3Zw / Twitter”
Canby School Board Selects Superintendent Finalists – https://t.co/HbReWGFejt—————–La Mesa Directiva de Canby Selecciona a los Finalistas para el Puesto de Superintendente – https://t.co/YT0jAHYY3C pic.twitter.com/SDfcoQP3Zw
The finalists will be brought to Canby for in-person interviews on June 1 and 2 and will also hold meet-and-greet sessions with specific stakeholder groups.
The board will work with GR Recruiting to extend an offer to the successful finalist after June 2. Officials hope to finalize a contract with the selected candidate in time for a July 1 starting date.
Goodall announced in March that he did not plan to seek a contract extension with Canby, and would instead be leaving the district of approximately 4,700 students after seven years of service.
In a statement informing the community of his decision, he called his time with the Canby School District “a highlight” of his career, and did not offer any explanation for stepping down.
More information about the search for the district’s next superintendent is available here.
