By Mary Owen
As a resident in and alumni of the Santiam Canyon School District, Todd Miller saw an opportunity to do the work he loves in a place he calls home.
“The timing was just right, and I felt a strong urge to help my local community,” said Miller, who is the new SCSD superintendent. “There is also a good fit between my skills sets and the needs of the district. I look forward to working with the staff and greater community to offer the best possible education to all students of the Santiam Canyon.”
Miller’s selection ended the school board’s search for a superintendent/principal to succeed Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian Gander, whose term ended June 30.
“Our search for a new superintendent resulted in a field of 15 very highly qualified applicants,” said Dan Lemke, board chair. “However, Todd Miller emerges as the right choice to be our next superintendent. He knows our community and embodies the important characteristics identified by our community and staff.”
Before taking the position, Miller was the executive director of Oregon Connections Academy.
“I had a wonderful experience leading Oregon Connections Academy and greatly value my years of service there,” Miller said. “We were able to implement some wonderful new programs and make some significant gains in student achievement. I feel good about the timing of leaving ORCA, as the school is in good shape for the future.”
Miller served as principal at Gates Elementary School for a year and vice principal at Mill City Middle School for four years, in the Santiam Canyon School District. He has a master of science degree in special education from Western Oregon University and a bachelor of science degree in political science from the University of Oregon. In 2013, he was named National Leader of the Year for Connections Academy.
“When I visited the students, staff and community, I just felt re-connected to the Santiam Canyon schools,” Miller said. “I look forward to building lasting relationships as we move the school district forward. I believe we have a tremendous opportunity to get this district back on track and achieve something special for our students.”
Miller said entering any new position takes time to fully learn the intricacies of the organization to support positive change, and expects to face challenges in his new role.
“Getting our fiscal situation under control, while doing a better job of supporting all students is our real challenge,” he said. “We are constrained by a budget that is paying for past debt, while working to develop new programs, options and courses to meet the varied needs of our students.”
Miller is pleased with the flow of ideas, creativity and community support that is positively impacting the district.
“People are ready for a change and I am honored to work on behalf of our students to meet these challenges head on,” he said.
Miller has four goals to guide the transition: target improvement efforts to increase student achievement for all students; establish a positive and collaborative school culture; build trust and partnerships with the greater community; and build the leadership capacity within the district and the newly elected school board members.
“I am spending valuable time meeting with staff members, parents, students, community members and stakeholders to better understand our district from many perspectives,” Miller said, whose goal is to meet with more than 100 people prior to the first day of school.“We are already working on positive changes for our schools and students,” he said.
