Earlier this year, Superintendent Christy Perry announced her plan to retire at the end of the 2022-23 school year. The Salem-Keizer Public Schools Board of Directors have since begun the process of selecting the next leader for the state’s second-largest school district.
In September 2022, the school board started the process by selecting Human Capital Enterprises (HCE) as the district’s executive search firm to establish a timeline for the search, evaluation process and selection of the district’s next superintendent. Over the next several months, the school board will work with HCE to move forward in the search process, outlined below.
**The following timeline is expected to be approved by the Salem-Keizer School Board during the November 8 Business Session meeting. All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the school board.
Superintendent Search Timeline
| Activity | Proposed Date(s) |
|---|---|
| 1:1 Board member conversations | October 3 and 4 |
| Board Planning Meeting in Open Session | October 4 |
| Engagement Sessions | October 25 to November 3 |
| Online survey window | October 25 to November 5 |
| Public Release of Salem-Keizer’s Next Superintendent Criteria | November 16 |
| Approval of Salem-Keizer’s Next Superintendent Criteria; Discussion of Next- Superintendent Compensation in Open Session | November 30 |
| Recruitment Window | December 5 to January 2 |
| Preliminary Interviews virtual with consultants | January 5-8 |
| Presentation of Slate in Closed Session, in-person |
January 21 (9:00am – 5:00pm) |
| Board initial interviews (first-round) in Closed Session, virtual | January 28 |
| Community-Based Interviews with signed confidentiality agreements | February 7 (8:30am-6:30pm) |
| Finalist (second-round) interviews in Closed Session | February 11 |
| Boards meets to identify preferred candidates in Closed Session | February 11 or shortly thereafter |
| Selection and Announcement | February TBD |
| Superintendent assumes responsibilities | July 1 |
We need our community’s help
The district needs help from the community to select the next leader of Salem-Keizer Public Schools. An online survey will be available starting Tuesday, October 25, where staff, students, families and community members can provide necessary input that will help develop the criteria for selecting the next SKPS superintendent. More information about the survey is available on the district website and feedback will be accepted through the survey from October 25 through November 5.
Stay up-to-date
Interested in staying up-to-date on the ongoing process to select the district’s next superintendent? Follow the district’s official social media channels, regularly check back on the Community Engagement web page and ensure contact information is accurate with any schools you may have children attending.