The search is underway for the next superintendent of the Oregon Trail School District, following the resignation of Shelley Redinger.

Redinger will serve in the capacity through June 30 before becoming the superintendent of the Spotsylvania County Schools based in Fredericksburg, Va.

“I really feel like I’m leaving the (Oregon Trail School) district in a very good place,” Redinger said. “It’s very well thought of throughout the region.”

The Oregon Trail School Board started the process of hiring a new district
leader at the Monday, March 14 board meeting by unanimously approving the
company Window to Leadership, LLC to facilitate the process. District
Communications Director Julia Monteith noted that the district will likely
accept applications through the end of April and a new superintendent chosen
by the end of May.

If no candidate is selected, Monteith added, the board could appoint an
interim superintendent and restart the process in the fall.

The cost for the search is expected to be approximately $8,000.

The district offered a survey on its Web site asking what qualifications the
next superintendent should possess, and the results were expected to be
presented to the board at a March 29 meeting. District officials also planned
to hold a staff and community forum March 28.

Zone 3 (Welches) board member Kurt McKnight hopes the next
superintendent will maintain the energy and direction that Redinger brought
to the district.

“I would love to clone her,” McKnight said. “I hope we don’t lose vision with
where we’re at with all the positive things we’ve got going on. Even though
it’s a tough time financially, we can keep pushing ourselves in the right
direction.”

Sara Branner, Director of Public Information for the Spotsylvania district
reported Redinger emerged from 56 applicants to earn her new job. Branner
pointed to a litany of reasons as to why Redinger was able to separate herself
from the pack.

“The school board spoke highly of her active presence in schools and the
community, strong leadership skills, focus on student achievement, open style
of communication, believing in employees, enthusiasm and energy, analytical
yet compassionate, and collaborative team builder,” Branner wrote in an e-
mail.

SCS School Board Chairman J. Gilbert Seaux echoed those sentiments in a
press release announcing the hiring of Redinger.

“This is an exciting time for our students, staff, parents, and the community,”
Seaux said. “Dr. Redinger’s wide range of experiences, dedication to
excellence, and commitment to foster positive relationships will build on and
enhance the great work that has been accomplished in our division.”