‘Model of leadership, integrity, compassion’: Lake Oswego School Board gives strong evaluation to Superintendent Jennifer Schiele

Every year, at the beginning of summer, the Lake Oswego School Board conducts its annual superintendent evaluation.

During its Monday, June 17 meeting, the board presented its positive evaluation to Dr. Jennifer Schiele, especially commending her work to improve communication across the school district.

“The board is especially appreciative of Dr. Schiele’s continued modeling of high ethical standards for the entire district and her focus on careful financial management during these periods of uncertain funding,” said board member John Wallin during the evaluation. “Her focus (was) on communication strategies in the past year, when she launched the ‘Learning in Lake Oswego’ podcast, improved (the) district website and communication via ParentSquare.”

The school board evaluated Schiele using eight standards and three agreed-upon goals for the school year. The evaluation is presented as a consensus document after each board member and Schiele conducted their ratings.

The eight national superintendent standards used are ethics and professional norms, effective organizational management, effective financial management, policy governance and advocacy, inclusive district culture, culturally responsive instructional leadership, communication and community leadership, and visionary district leadership.

Schiele’s three goals for the 2023-24 school year included increasing student voice, utilizing an early warning report for student progress in Synergy (student information system) and upgrading student mental health services.

“The board identifies two areas for continued growth: culturally responsive leadership and communication. We’d like Dr. Schiele to focus on ensuring that our district becomes a model for all students feeling welcome — that administrators and staff are well prepared to respond to biases. In the area of communication, we want Dr. Schiele to continue to find more ways to share the work and success of our students, faculty and staff in the community,” said Wallin. “She is a model of leadership integrity and compassion that inspires administrators, faculty, staff, students, community members and even school board members to do all they can to be smarter, kinder and better humans.”

Schiele began her tenure as superintendent in 2021, after serving as principal of Lakeridge High School and assistant superintendent.

“I could not do anything that I do without the team we have here,” said Schiele. “It’s a really hard job but I think together we make it a little easier. I really want to say ‘Thank you.’ I love working in Lake Oswego and this community and the kids here.”