Oregon Governor Kate Brown has tapped Eugene’s Bethel School Superintendent Colt Gill to be the state’s first Education Innovation Officer. Gill will work to improve graduation rates.
In announcing her choice, Brown cited Gill’s experience in the classroom, in the community and as an administrator.
Gill has been Bethel Superintendent for 10 years. He says it’s been an emotional time and he’ll miss the Bethel community. But he looks forward to the new challenge.
“We’re performing at the bottom of the pack nationally with graduation rates right now, so the emphasis of this job, and the governor is committed, by putting this job into place to turn us around and put us back at the top of the pack.”
Gill starts the new job June 1st. He’ll still be at Bethel through June for graduation and to draft next year’s budget. His deputy Chris Parra will serve as interim superintendent.
Copyright 2016 KLCC
