By Mary Owen
Stayton High School Alan Kirby’s reign as principal will end in June as he steps up to lead the College and Career Pathways dual-pathways coordinator position.
“We are excited about this new position to strengthen opportunities for our students as they plan for college and career success,” said Andy Gardner, superintendent for the North Santiam School District. “During Alan’s five-year tenure as principal, SHS has become one of the most progressive high schools in the region for his work with local higher education institutions, local businesses and other regional partners including the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) and our Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce.”
Kirby said he is excited to continue and expand the work he began at SHS.
“Relevance is a critical component to student learning, and I plan to work on increasing the connections between middle school, high school, and career learning,” he said. “I plan to do this by partnering with local businesses to give kids real opportunities to understand the work that is available, by strengthening our current Career and Technical Education programs, by considering new pathways, and by helping students have more opportunities to experience a variety of working environments.
“Schools and businesses often want the same things,” he added. “I want to be able to bridge the gap and to educate students about opportunities in the workforce and in higher education.”
Career and Technical Education, a program funded through the High School Success fund initiated by ballot Measure 98 in November 2016, provides students of all ages with the academic and technical skills, knowledge and training necessary to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners, according to the district.
SHS currently offers career pathways in agriculture, biomedical, business, manufacturing and construction, criminal justice, and STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math).
Gardner credited Kirby and his staff for achieving a great deal over the past five years, but he is not the only person singing his praises.
Nick Harville with SEDCOR is associated with CTE in several districts throughout Marion County, and said, “What Alan has helped accomplish is fantastic. I look forward to working more with Alan and SHS on the next level. Alan understands what local industry needs and has taken great strides to deliver what local companies need.”
“We are excited to collaborate with Alan and SHS as they continue to grow and expand their Career Pathways programs, providing a link among students, local entrepreneurs, and industry experts to support the success of this program,” said Carmelle Bielenberg, Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce president. “We are committed to workforce investment and these students are our future.”
SSCOC worked with Kirby to produce its annual Employment Expo and Job Fair where students were exposed to a variety of employment opportunities and careers, Bielenberg said.
“Alan has a passion for student success which is evident when working with him to create these opportunities,” she added.
Johnny Mack, executive dean of CTE at Chemeketa Community College looks forward to supporting the development of new pathways for students at SHS.
“Expanding the opportunities for our students to explore and strengthen career and college decisions has a positive impact on not only the students, but also the vitality of our communities,” Mack said.
Kirby was hired in 2005 as a social studies teacher and taught for eight years as well as coaching football and track. He served as SHS vice principal from 2013-2014, and was named principal the following year.
During Kirby’s time as principal, state scores in language arts and math improved, both now above state average. SHS has also shown improvements in its four-year graduation rate, moving from 73 percent in 2016 to 83 percent in 2018. Stayton now offers students more than 100 hours of possible college credits through dual-credit programs.
“Alan’s tenure at SHS has seen the start of home construction classes, an Industrial Arts Advisory Board, and a new Health Occupations pathway,” said Janine Moothart, NSSD communications consultant. “In the last five years, SHS has become a school that the community and parents are proud of and students are excited to attend.”
Kirby will officially begin work as dual-pathways coordinator of College and Career Pathways for the 2019-2020
school year.
“We are excited to move the High School Success work forward, and we are confident that Alan is the right person to make this work [and] have an even greater impact on our students,” Gardner said.
“The staff at SHS is a caring and hard-working group who give their all for our students. I know this momentum will continue forward into the coming years under the new principal,” Gardner added.
