Springfield schools seek community input on interim superintendent search

Springfield Public Schools has opened the clock on a leadership choice that will shape staffing, budgets and daily operations across nearly 9,000 students next year. Families, staff, students and other community members have until May 8 to weigh in on what kind of interim superintendent they want as the district moves toward a July 1 start date.

The district is using Grundmeyer Leader Services, with Rob Hess listed as the lead search consultant, to run the process. The public survey takes about five to 10 minutes and is available in multiple languages on the Springfield Public Schools website. District leaders say the feedback will help the school board throughout the selection process, not just serve as a symbolic invitation to comment.

The timeline is already set. Applications close May 10, the board reviews candidates May 20, semifinalist screening is scheduled for May 27 and finalist interviews are planned for June 9. Springfield Public Schools wants to finalize the appointment by the end of June so the interim superintendent can begin July 1, 2026.

The stakes are high because the interim superintendent will inherit a district facing financial strain. On March 20, Springfield Public Schools projected a $7.9 million deficit for the 2026-27 school year, improved from an earlier $10.4 million estimate. The district said roughly 79% of its operating budget supports staffing, underscoring how much of next year’s budget pressure will fall on personnel decisions, assignments and service levels.

The search follows Superintendent Todd Hamilton’s resignation, effective February 28, after nearly seven years leading the district. During his tenure, Hamilton said Springfield achieved the highest graduation rates in its history and expanded opportunities in music, physical education, library services and career and technical education, while building stronger ties with Willamalane, the City of Springfield and Springfield Utility Board.

Springfield Public Schools serves Lane County, about five miles east of Eugene, and the district’s job posting says Springfield School District No. 19 covers Springfield and nearby rural areas including Goshen, Mohawk, Walterville and portions of Marcola. The interim superintendent role is listed with a salary range of $210,000 to $250,000 plus benefits for a system that employs about 1,600 staff members across 21 schools, including two charter school programs.

The board’s push for public input comes after a turbulent stretch that included midyear layoffs of 27 workers, criticism from the community and a state investigation over elementary curriculum standards. Former board chair Heather Quaas-Annsa resigned days before Hamilton’s departure, citing dysfunction and concern for her family’s safety, after earlier board action removed and censured Jonathan Light and removed vice chair Ken Kohl. That history makes the current search more than a routine hire; it is the first major test of whether the district can steady its leadership before the next school year begins.