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Othello looks for new district superintendent

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years AGO
by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | March 31, 2021 1:00 AM

OTHELLO — Who the Othello School District superintendent will be in the 2021-22 school year is uncertain, as current district superintendent Chris Hurst announced he accepted another job, but has not resigned from his Othello position.

Othello School Board Chair Mike Garza said Friday Hurst, hired for his role in 2016, is still in negotiations with the new district.

School board members issued a statement asking for patience, which was read at the March 22 board meeting and published on the board’s social media outlets.

“Having said that, we the board have started with the process of resolving this matter. As I (Garza) mentioned previously, we are bound by some time constraints to formally make an announcement. Nevertheless, a plan of action has been discussed and will be delivered in a timely manner. We are aware of the task at hand and will work diligently to make sure we choose the correct candidate going forward.”

“We are working on the process, as we should,” Garza said Friday.

However, Garza said board members haven’t decided on a procedure to replace Hurst, if he resigns. Board members could conduct a search and hire a permanent replacement this spring or opt for an interim superintendent while a longer search is conducted.

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