Salem-Keizer schools super hires 2 leaders from former district

Salem-Keizer Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Castañeda has filled two cabinet-level vacancies with former colleagues at Tulsa Public Schools in Oklahoma, where she worked before coming to Salem in 2023.

Danielle Neves has been hired as Salem-Keizer’s new deputy superintendent overseeing secondary education.

In Tulsa, Neves most recently served as the instructional leadership director of secondary education. She previously was the deputy chief of academics and also has worked as a counselor, middle school teacher and school principal.

Neves replaces Iton Udosenata, who left to become superintendent of Tigard-Tualatin School District. She will oversee the district’s middle and high schools, as well as the Office of Equity and Advancement.

“Danielle Neves is an experienced leader with a track record of improving the conditions for teaching and learning and through, that, student outcomes,” Castañeda said. “She will be a key member of our executive team and I look forward to the expertise, experience, vision, and values she will bring to our school system.”

Jonathan McIlroy has been hired as Salem-Keizer’s new executive director of strategy and analytics.

McIlroy most recently served as the director of data strategy at Tulsa Public Schools.

McIlroy replaces Suzanne West, who left to become superintendent of the Forest Grove School District. He will take on her duties, as well as new responsibilities, the district said in a news release.

“Jonathan has led the design of district data systems that truly make sense for schools. He was part of a team that put useful data in the hands of every educator and building leader,” Castañeda said. “He has built and managed strategic plans and created coherent, efficient systems for schools.”

Castañeda joined Tulsa Public Schools as chief innovation officer in July 2017. She was promoted to interim head of the district’s personnel office in June 2022 and appointed to the position permanently in January 2023.

In March 2023, Castañeda was hired as Salem-Keizer’s new superintendent, replacing Christy Perry. She began work on July 1, 2023.

District officials were not immediately able to provide salaries for the new hires.

Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips:tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at@Tracy_Loew