The Springfield School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to start contract negotiations to hire their next superintendent. But, the board isn’t saying yet who they’ve chosen to lead the district.
The decision came after a roughly 90 minute closed-door executive session meeting.
The three finalists are Michael Carter, who currently serves as Superintendent of Lake County School District, Kimberlee Pelster who is principal of Thurston High School, and John Stover, who is serving as superintendent of Rockingham County Schools in North Carolina.
Springfield School District spokesperson Brian Richardson said the new superintendent will be announced during the school board’s June 22 meeting. The person chosen will be on a one-year interim contract.
The Springfield School District’s former superintendent Todd Hamilton resigned in February. In the months leading up to his resignation Hamilton and members of his administration had increasingly tense relations with some school board members over concerns about micromanagement. Hamilton and another administrator also notified the district of their intent to sue over alleged retaliation and defamation.
Board members at the time were growing increasingly frustrated with Hamilton and his team, arguing they weren’t being provided with the information they needed to do their jobs. The board was also dealing with discord among its own ranks, with two board members being censored and another later resigning citing board dysfunction and hostility from the public.
The district is currently led by Jodi O’Mara, the former superintendent of the Mapleton, who came out of retirement to lead day to day operations at Springfield on an acting basis.
Below are the biographies of the three finalists, courtesy of Springfield Public Schools:
Michael Carter
Michael Carter currently serves as Superintendent of Lake County School District 7 in Oregon and has more than 40–years of education experience, including more than 24 years as a superintendent. He has also previously worked as a principal at the high school, middle and elementary level. He also has experience as a university professor and as an educational mentor. Carter also serves as Executive Director of the Oregon Small Schools Association. He holds an Education Specialist degree from Lewis & Clark College, a master's degree in Educational Administration from UCLA. He has been recognized as Oregon Small Schools Association Administrator of the Year and recipient of the COSA Bev Gladder Mentor Award.
Dr. Kimberlee Pelster
Dr. Kimberlee Pelster is principal of Thurston High School. Since becoming principal in 2022, she has led improvements in graduation rates, attendance and support for historically underserved student groups. Under her leadership, Thurston High School achieved a record 90% graduation rate and earned recognition from the Oregon Department of Education and Cognia for its work in student voice and continuous improvement. Prior to joining SPS, Pelster served as a Director with Teach For America in Chicago, supporting and developing more than 90 teachers across 49 schools. She also worked in Eugene School District 4J supporting special education services and system improvement initiatives. She holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Oregon. She completed her doctorate in educational leadership this spring.
John Stover, Ed.D.
John Stover currently serves as superintendent of Rockingham County Schools in North Carolina and brings more than 30 years of educational leadership experience. He previously served as Chief of Secondary Schools for the District of Columbia Public Schools, Superintendent of Uplift Education Charter Schools in Texas, and as a principal and assistant principal in multiple school systems. Stover’s previous accomplishments include securing major facility and infrastructure grants, expanding college and career pathways, increasing student credential attainment, and leading nationally recognized schools and districts. He holds a doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Innovation from Marymount University, a master's degree in School Administration from East Carolina University, and superintendent certifications in North Carolina and Virginia.
