SPRINGFIELD – As the school year winds down, Springfield Public Schools leadership continues to see shifts, as last week, a board member announced her resignation, and three finalists were selected for the superintendent position vacated earlier this year.
Board member Nicole De Graff announced her resignation at a May 26 board meeting, following a nearly hour-long executive session to review “confidential attorney-client privileged information.” While reporters may be present during these meetings, they are not allowed to report directly from them.
They reopened the meeting to the public and, in vague terms, voted on how to resolve confidential complaints discussed in the closed-door meeting.
Board member Ken Kohl proposed that the board stop any further action on a previous complaint, allow Chair Jonathan Light to write a response based on their private discussion, and not handle any additional complaints related to it. Board member Bob Brew agreed with the motion.
“My view of risk and precedence is different, so I’ll be voting no,” De Graff said before the roll call vote was read. The motion carried with three yeses.
Another similar motion was proposed and seconded by the same duo.
“I will just say that my perspective of governance and risk is different,” De Graff said, before dropping news that, “Also, I’m resigning June 30.”
De Graff first joined the school board when she was appointed in 2023 for a four-year term. According to her board biography, De Graff’s passion is to “advocate for kids and build trust in her community, providing as much transparency and collaboration as possible.”
According to Brian Richardson, director of communications, De Graff did not submit a resignation letter and only shared her intent to resign at the meeting.
De Graff is the second school board member to resign this year, following Heather Quaas-Annsa, who resigned in February, citing public harassment. The resignation follows the board’s controversial January decision to cut 36 teaching positions, including 27 active teachers, a move that drew strong reactions from the community.
Abraham Constantino, Devon Lawson, and Ky Fireside filed their first petition forms just a few days after the decision to force a recall vote for seats held by Quaas-Annsa, De Graff, and Kohl.
Fireside said the petition deadline passed without enough signatures.
“I knew right before going into the last public portion of the meeting that I would be making the announcement, although it was still emotional when the moment actually came,” De Graff said.
“After the meeting I felt sad more than anything else. It was at that point that I knew my ability to be effective was ending. I disagreed with the board’s decision to set a precedent of refusing to hear certain complaints. I wholeheartedly threw myself into board work and truly enjoyed school visits, learning something new every day and serving students, staff and the community. Stepping away from that is difficult because this role became a meaningful part of my life. I just need to step away from the dysfunction.
I know some disagreed with some of my advocacy and positions. I served according to my convictions, tried to do my job seriously and I have no regrets about caring deeply about issues I believed mattered. That doesn’t mean I was perfect, but I cared deeply and always tried to serve in good faith.
Right now, I am still processing everything. More than anything, I hope the board can get back to focusing on students and supporting staff. My advice to them is to please, leave the personal agendas behind. Keep kids at the center of the work. Remember to ask what outcome you are hoping to achieve. Look for the positives. Exercise true informed oversight. There are real challenges facing our schools and I hope energy can be directed toward those priorities. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to serve and for the relationships and experiences I gained along the way,” she said.
District administration
While the school board has seen a treacherous few months, the same can be said for the district administration.
In February, Todd Hamilton resigned as superintendent at SPS. Hamilton and assistant superintendent David Collins filed a tort claim against the district in December 2025, alleging defamation, retaliation, and violations of whistleblower protection by board members Amber Langworthy, Kohl, and Light.
The tort claim notice stated that, in August 2025, Hamilton and Collins submitted a formal written complaint to the Springfield Public Schools Board of Directors alleging misconduct.
According to the claim, the actions stem from a “broader continuing pattern of retaliation that began in 2021 when Jonathan Light returned to the board,” resulting in “retaliation, false light, defamation, and unlawful employment practices.”
On June 1, Springfield Public Schools announced that three finalists have been selected to participate in the final phase of the District’s interim superintendent search process. Jodi O’Mara has held the acting superintendent position since March 2.
According to a news release, the school board and search consultants selected from an initial pool of 16 applicants and identified six for screening on May 27. After the initial interviews, the board selected three finalists based on their “commitment to student success, leadership experience, and ability to lead SPS during this transitional period.”
Drawing on local talent, Dr. Kimberlee Pelster has served as principal of Thurston High School since 2022. During her tenure, she has led significant improvements in graduation rates, attendance, student engagement, and support for historically underserved student groups.
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 under her leadership.
Prior to joining SPS, Pelster was a director with Teach For America in Chicago and worked in the 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 and completed her doctorate in educational leadership in spring 2026.
Nearby in Lake County, candidate Michael Carter serves as the superintendent of Lake County School District 7 in Oregon and has over 40 years of experience in education. He has served as a superintendent for more than 24 years, has been a high school principal, middle school principal, elementary principal, assistant principal, university professor, and educational mentor.
Carter serves as the executive director of the Oregon Small Schools Association. He holds an Education Specialist degree from Lewis & Clark College and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from UCLA. He was recognized as the Oregon Small Schools Association Administrator of the Year and the recipient of the COSA Bev Gladder Mentor Award.
His leadership experience includes strategic planning, school finance, facilities management, board relations, and community partnerships.
In 2021, Carter was investigated by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission after being accused of using his official position for financial gain. A complaint by Kari Hollander alleged that Carter purchased a vehicle from the District at a price below the Kelley Blue Book value of a comparable vehicle and that it was not declared surplus property per the District policy.
OGEC ultimately dismissed the complaint, stating the information was insufficient to indicate Carter was at fault.
Elsewhere in the country, John Stover, Ed.D., serves as superintendent of Rockingham County Schools in North Carolina. He has more than 30 years of educational leadership experience.
He has 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. 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.
His accomplishments include securing major facility and infrastructure grants, expanding college and career pathways, increasing student credential attainment, and leading nationally recognized schools and districts.
The next school board meeting is on June 8 at 7 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room. A special meeting will be held on June 9 at 11 a.m., where the three finalists will participate in a series of interviews with stakeholder groups and the board.
