Board members pleased with options

Tuesday, July 8, 2003 8:23 AM PDT

By Randi Rice

It is a win-win situation no matter which candidate is chosen, said several Castle Rock School Board Members Monday night after a two-hour roundtable in which local residents questioned the three superintendent candidates.

More than 45 school staff members, parents and local citizens spent two hours questioning Richard Wilde, Marie Phillips and Roger Rada, who are vying to replace Terry Werner as superintendent to lead the district of 1,400 students.

The position pays between $80,000 and $90,000, according to the school board.

"I hope they pay attention to our opinions," said Mernie Jones, a mother with three children in the school system. "I want to make sure they care what parents' concern are. And I am very thankful for this opportunity. I felt I had a part in this."

Board members said they expected to make a decision later Monday night or this morning.

The candidates fielded questions on topics such as discipline, curriculum and how to train students and staff for Columbine-like shooting situations.

Each roundtable participant was interviewed in three groups of about 15 people each. Roundtable participants filled out a form to rate the candidates.

All three candidates are currently superintendents in smaller school districts.

"We are the final decision makers," said Gayle Baker, school board chairwoman. And "we have high expectations."

"We made out a shopping list," she said. "Now we start getting real picky ... get down to the nitty gritty."

She said the community wants someone who is "well educated ... well rounded ....involved in the community and school."

Baker said she was impressed with the turnout of local input considering the roundtable was held in mid-summer.

"People care and want to be involved," she said.

All three candidates said they liked the community and that the roundtable reflected the community's desire to find a superintendent who would be more than just an administrator.

"They wanted to know whether the person was looking at this just as a job or as being part of the community," Wilde said.

As for his interest in Castle Rock, he said, "What's not to want? It is the right size ... the right location and the school board is wonderful to work with."

Phillips said that people want the new superintendent to be concerned about students and staff and want to "make the school district a better place."

"I like the community, (and) I feel like I can make a difference," said Roger Rada.

"They are all qualified," Chris Russey, search consultant for Educational Service District 112 in Vancouver. The school district contracted with the agency to help find the candidates.

Though Russey helped track down potential candidates, she said it was the board members who did extra background checks and even went to the candidates' current communities and interviewed everyone from parents to grocery store clerks.

"We look for a fit in the community ... someone who is going to be able to relate to community and staff," Russey said.

The Candidates

Marie Phillips, 57
Concrete School District Superintendent (820 students) since 1999.

Experience: Superintendent/K-12 principal at LaCrosse (1997-1998); superintendent internship at East Valley School District (1996-97); principal Kettle Falls High School (1992-96); principal Florence-Carlton School District (1990-92); administration internship at Missoula County High School (1989-1990); English/art teacher at Twin Bridges School District (1973-89); English teacher (1968-73).

Education: B.A. in English/teaching certificate from Carroll College; M.A. in educational leadership at University of Montana; Ph.D in education leadership at Gonzaga University.

Personal:Married to Mike Phillips, two grown children.

Roger Rada, 54
Nestucca Valley School District Superintendent --- Hebo, Ore. (650 students) since 1998.

Experience: Director of employee and community relations at Central Valley School District (1996-98); director of secondary education at Central Valley School District (1990-96); professor, department of education leadership at Washington State University (1987-90); superintendent at North Franklin School District (1983-87); superintendent/principal at Days Creek School District (1980-83); administrative assistant to the superintendent at Reedsport School District (1979-80); biology teacher at Roseburg High School (1978-79); sixth-grade language arts and high school math and science teacher at Ontario School District (1972-78).

Education: B.S. degree in elementary education and M.S. degree in secondary education from Eastern Oregon State College; Ph.D in education administration from University of Oregon.

Personal: Married to Glenys Rada. three grown children, three grandchildren.

Richard Wilde, 51
Klickitat School District Superintendent (180 students) since 1999.

Experience: Special program supervisor for Portland public schools (1998-99); director of pupil services for Oak Ridge City, Tenn., schools (1995-98); director of special services/principal for Washougal School District (1985-95); Washougal High School counselor (1982-85); Tacoma School District school psychologist (1980-82); teacher at Federal Way School District (1977-80).

Education: B.A. in education from Central Washington University; M. Ed. in counseling psychology/administration from Central Washington University; Ed.D. in education leadership from Portland State University; superintendent credential program at Washington State University.

Personal: Divorced, two grown children.