Introducing Salem-Keizer's New School Leadership Team

New Leadership for Salem-Keizer Public Schools

As the new school year approaches, Salem-Keizer Public Schools is preparing to welcome a wave of new leadership across its 65 schools. With classes set to begin in early September, approximately half of the district’s buildings will have new principals, and 17 educators will take on assistant principal roles. This transition marks a significant shift in the district’s administrative structure, as it continues to serve a student population of around 37,189 this year.

The first day of school for most students will be on September 2 for grades 6 and 9, followed by September 3 for grades 1–5, 7, 8, and 10–12. Kindergarten students will start on September 10. The district has made several key appointments to ensure a smooth transition into the new academic year.

District Administrators

Three new district administrators have been appointed to lead the district's operations and educational initiatives. Paul Odenthal has been named the chief operations officer, bringing over three decades of experience in public service, education, and operations. Prior to joining Salem-Keizer, he served as senior associate vice president for administration at Oregon State University and as an executive administrator for facilities in the Beaverton School District. He is also a retired U.S. Navy Captain.

Ingrid Ceballos and Andrew Kronser have been appointed as elementary-level directors. Ingrid began her career with the district in 2006 as a bilingual teacher and has since held various leadership roles, including principal at Four Corners Elementary and Waldo Middle School. Andrew has 18 years of experience in elementary education, including 11 years as a building principal. He has led Cummings Elementary for the past four years.

New Principals

A number of new principals have been assigned to middle and elementary schools throughout the district. Christine Bowlby will lead Houck Middle School after serving as the principal of the EDGE program, Salem-Keizer’s K-12 online program. Cherice Cochran will take over at Waldo Middle School, having previously led Keizer Elementary School. Bridget West will be the principal at Brush College Elementary School, following her time at Hoover Elementary School.

Clinton Gertenrich will lead Candalaria Elementary School, while Hillary Hulseman moves from Lakeview High School in southeastern Oregon to Cummings Elementary. Terra Yates will oversee the EDGE Online Program, having previously served as an assistant principal in the same program. Shamika Cleveland will lead Englewood Elementary School, and Kellie Ward will take charge of Eyre Elementary School, where she was previously an assistant principal.

Tiffany Wiencken will lead both Forest Ridge Elementary School and Optimum Learning Environments Charter School, having worked in the Portland area. Jeannine Piscoran will be the principal at Grant Community School, and Rebeca Méndez Alvarez will lead Hoover Elementary School. Jason Gundlach will take over at Keizer Elementary School, and Kelsey Harris will lead Kennedy Elementary School.

Kara Vining will be the principal at Wright Elementary School, and Artonya Gemmill will serve in a special assignment role, having previously been an assistant principal at Early College High School and Roberts at Chemeketa High School.

Assistant Principals

In addition to the new principals, 17 educators have been assigned to assistant principal positions, with some taking on roles at multiple schools. Javier Gutierrez Baltazar and Wendy Stradley will serve as assistant principals at McKay High School, with Wendy having previously worked as an athletic director and assistant principal at West Salem High School. Becky Wilson will be the assistant principal at North Salem High School, and Kristi Bosch will take on the role at Sprague High School.

Jim Miller returns to the district as an assistant principal/athletic director at Sprague High School after a year-long deployment in Kosovo. Craig King will be the assistant principal at Roberts High School, having previously served in similar roles at other schools. Josh Thorp will be the assistant principal at West Salem High School, and Joana Guevara Cruz will lead Stephens Middle School.

Katie Such will be the assistant principal at Straub Middle School, and Erica Anderson will take on the role at Walker Middle School. Tessie Riddell will serve as the assistant principal at Whiteaker Middle School, and Ruth Ochoa will be responsible for both Chavez and Yoshikai elementary schools.

Oscar Rodriguez Garcia will be the assistant principal at Eyre Elementary School, and Carrie Clancy will lead Harritt and Pringle elementary schools. Irma Patton will be the assistant principal at Keizer Elementary School, and Erika Kerr will oversee Lamb and Hayesville elementary schools. Jesse Sutter will be the assistant principal at Scott and Swegle elementary schools.

Continued Growth and Change

With these changes, Salem-Keizer Public Schools is setting the stage for a dynamic new school year. The district remains committed to providing quality education and support to its students, while adapting to the evolving needs of its community.