Superintendent Search
Andrea Castañeda
The selection of Andrea Castañeda comes after a nearly six-month national search process led by the Salem-Keizer School Board with the support of Human Capital Enterprises.
Throughout this process, the board and HCE collected feedback from district stakeholders to reflect the community’s voice in the selection of the next superintendent.
About Our New Superintendent
Andrea has committed her life to public education because she understands the opportunity and choice-filled life that public education makes possible. She comes from a white and Mexican family that, on both sides, is one generation from barely getting by. Public schools lifted her family upward and forward, and she is committed to providing that same opportunity to the students of Salem-Keizer.
Andrea Castañeda spent many years of her childhood education in Oregon and is excited to return. A leader who deeply commits to communities, her resume tells a story of longevity and service: she has dedicated herself to only two communities over the past 20 years. She is thrilled to make Salem-Keizer her third.
Andrea has served in multiple district leadership roles. For the last six years, she’s served on the cabinet of Tulsa Public Schools, supporting the design and launch of new school models, leading the district’s strategic agenda, overseeing talent management for 5,300 employees, and spearheading the district’s COVID response.
Before joining Tulsa Public Schools, Andrea spent nearly 15 years working in district and state leadership roles in Rhode Island. During that time, she led many departments, including operations, finance, secondary education, career and technical education, English language learner services, special education, charter authorizing, and virtual and blended learning. Andrea has cultivated a leadership style built on collaboration, high expectations, and equitable opportunities for all children.
Andrea has been married for over 20 years and has two daughters who are 18 and 24 years old, both of whom attended public schools and are thriving today because of the power of public education.
Superintendent Search News and Events
Superintendent search update: February 13, 2023
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 launched the process of selecting the next leader for the state’s second-largest school district. In September 2022, the school board started [...]
Superintendent Search Timeline
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 [...]
Salem-Keizer School Board approves ideal profile for next superintendent, begins recruitment process
Interested candidates are asked to connect directly with the search firm, Human Capital Enterprises to apply At its meeting on Nov. 30, the Salem-Keizer School Board approved the Ideal Profile for the next Superintendent of Salem-Keizer Public Schools. This profile includes the specific criteria that the consultants from Human [...]
Salem-Keizer Public Schools ideal profile for the next superintendent
Below are the specific criteria that the consultants will use in identifying outstanding prospects for the position of Salem-Keizer Superintendent of Schools. It is also a document the school board will use in the selection phase of the search. Written public comment to the school board on Superintendent Search [...]
Superintendent search online survey (now closed)
Community input needed Salem-Keizer Public Schools has begun the search for a new superintendent, and we need the community’s help selecting the next leader of SKPS. Complete the online survey An online survey is now available where staff, students, families and community members can provide necessary input that will [...]
Superintendent search update: October 24, 2022
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 [...]
Salem-Keizer School Board selects Human Capital Enterprises as executive search firm
Human Capital Enterprises will aid the school board throughout the search, interview and selection process for the next superintendent for Salem-Keizer Public Schools At its Tuesday night meeting, the Salem-Keizer School Board leadership announced its selection of Human Capital Enterprises as the executive search firm for the next superintendent [...]