Superintendent's Office

George Russell
Superintendent

Photo of Superintendent

russell_g@4j.lane.edu
(541) 687-3321

The Superintendent provides leadership for the district’s programs and is ultimately responsible for all areas of the district’s operation (School Board Policy), provides executive leadership and administrative direction for all departments and services, and is responsible for proposing and implementing long-range plans.

from the Superintendent

To 4J staff and volunteers:

As it always does, the school year has cruised to its end. For some of you it probably seems like it would never get here, but for many it's also a time for reflection and nostalgia.

As I sat through many of the graduation exercises, I couldn't help but be moved by the tremendous tribute each graduate was to your love and caring every day for the students who've crossed your paths year after year. The culmination of their journey with us, and the future for those who are yet to get there, was and will be made brighter by your efforts on their behalf. I salute each and every one of you for the young lives you've impacted this year.

I hope that it's been a good year for each of you; I know it has been extremely busy and full of challenges. At a district level, we have continued to grapple with the effects of changes in student demographics and enrollment. Our "Shaping 4J's Future" process wrapped up after nearly two years of work with staff and community members, laying a pathway for how we can provide services, and choice, across our large district, given our limitations on funding and physical space.

We'll have more tough work cut out for next year, as we continue to try to increase achievement and opportunities for ALL students, while we develop proposals for new program options at Adams, River Road/El Camino del Rio and Howard, Harris and Eastside, and potentially for a Chinese language immersion program.

I expect that all of you will have a relaxing, rejuvenating summer, and hope that you'll join us on Thursday, Aug. 28 for our annual staff welcome event at South Eugene High School. This year, we're delighted to welcome back Tom Payzant as our guest speaker.

Tom, as many of you know, was superintendent in 4J from 1973-1978, during a time of tremendous change, growth and innovation in 4J (including the "controversial" introduction of kindergarten and the advent of "alternative schools"). He has since served in a number of prestigious posts throughout the country, including assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education in the Clinton administration, and most recently as superintendent of Boston Public Schools from 1995 until his retirement in 2006. He is currently a professor of practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I'm sure he'll have some fascinating observations for us in returning to Eugene, so please be part of this special event.

My best to you and yours, and my thanks again for all your hard work this past year.

Sincerely,

George Russell

 

District Documents

Thank You Voters!

Voters in Eugene School District 4J resoundingly passed measure 20-137, renewing the 4J local option levy for another five years.

The Eugene School District Local Option Levy is a property tax that provides money for 4J school operations. It was initially approved by voters in 2000, first renewed in 2004, and now renewed through June 2015. The district expects the levy to generate $15 million - $17 million per year, which is equivalent to the annual cost of operating two high schools. The levy is expected to maintain current school programs and staffing levels to the extent possible.

The 4J Board of Directors thanks the voters and community for their ongoing support.

Trio of New Administrators Start at 4J

Three new district administrators begin work at Eugene School District 4J this fall:

Assistant Superintendent/Chief Operations Officer Carl Hermanns
Hermanns takes on a new position that oversees the Human Resources, Financial and Support Services, Facilities Management, and Computing and Information Services departments, as well as other non-instructional services. Hermanns was a superintendent intern with 4J in 2004 and 2005, and led the district's alternative school review teams in 2005-06 and 2006-07. He's an advanced doctoral candidate in the urban superintendent program at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. Hermanns has also been a conductor and musical coordinator, and served as a teacher and principal in San Diego before pursuing his doctorate in the Harvard program.

Director of Human Resources Celia Feres-Johnson
Feres-Johnson will oversee the district's human resources operations, including hiring and recruitment, staffing, compliance with state and federal rules, employee benefits and risk management. She has been the Regional Senior Manager for Ethics, Compliance, and Privacy for Dell, Inc. in Latin America. Previously she was Executive Director for Millennium Management, where her responsibilities included administration of human resources and business practices. From 1993 to 2000, she was a Human Resources Specialist and Affirmative Action Officer for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Department; from 1988 to 1993, she was the Chief of Human Resources Development, Safety and Training for the City of Henderson, NV. She holds a bachelor of science degree in Business and Hotel Management, a master's degree in Public Administration, and a doctorate of education, all from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Associate Human Resources Director for Employee and Labor Relations Christine Nesbit

4J Hires New Assistant Superintendent

It's a new position but a familiar face.

4J Superintendent George Russell announced the hiring of an Assistant Superintendent/Chief Operations Officer (or COO) on April 29: Carl Hermanns will take on a new position that oversees the Human Resources, Financial and Support Services, Facilities Management, and Computing and Information Services departments, as well as other non-instructional services.

Superintendent proposes healthy 2007-08 budget

Thanks to a recovering state economy and continued support from our local community, Superintendent George Russell suggests modest additions in school staffing, in his proposed 2007-08 budget.



Last updated on November 14, 2008 - 7:58am