Myriad change in Newberg schools personnel follows in wake of budget crisis

The Newberg-Dundee school district is undergoing near unprecedented personnel changes after it was revealed it is facing a nearly $2 million shortfall in the 2023-24 school year and more than $12 million in the following year.

Amid calls for his resignation , embattled superintendent Stephen Phillips was placed on medical leave and is not expected to return until August. Thereafter, the district’s school board announced that retired former Superintendent Paula Radich had volunteered to helm the ship over the next few months in order to address the budget crisis.

Soon after, finance director Heather Bixby — also the target of resignation demands by some in the community — went on medical leave as well. She resigned from the position outright on June 21.

The board then announced that Gayellyn Jacobson, a veteran of school administration for decades, would take over as finance director in Bixby’s absence. Jacobson previously served as administrator for fiscal services in the Beaverton School District and as chief financial officer for the North Clackamas School District.

Jacobson’s charge, according to a statement released by Radich, is to assist with budget documents, help revise class size ratios and “a myriad of issues regarding our district’s finances,” Radich said. Jacobson assumed her position June 24, presenting a budget update to the board that evening.

Longtime Newberg-Dundee Public Schools Communications Director Claudia Stewart has volunteered, at no pay, to aid Jillian Daley in her position as communications and community relations director. Stewart served the district for 25 years before retiring in 2017.

“The two teamed up to plan an extensive outreach and engagement effort around the school district’s budget,” Radich wrote.

Another face familiar in the district has been appointed by the board to serve as interim enrollment study lead and complaint administrator. Lesley Carsley served for more than 39 years in the district as a teacher and administrator, including stints as principal at Edwards and Joan Austin elementary schools, as well as interim principal at Dundee Elementary and Chehalem Valley Middle School.

“Lesley leads our district’s enrollment study project and will assist the superintendent in processing complaints and conducting exit interviews,” Radich said. “Lesley is working at no charge to the district.”

Finally, Ben Burkhardt, a former counselor at Mountain View Middle School and principal at Hazelbrook Middle School in Tualatin, will assume the position of the district’s supervisor of maintenance, custodial services and grounds.

“Ben has a background in the trades,” Radich said. “He has already met with maintenance and custodial staff.”