Mills a solid choice for school superintendent | Editorial
Published 4:38 pm Thursday, May 31, 2012
That was quick work by the Bellevue School Board to pick a new superintendent for the district. Dr. Justin (Tim) Mills looks to be a solid choice to build on the excellence of past superintendents.
He will replace Dr. Amalia Cudeiro, who stepped down in January because of family medical issues. Mills and the school board are negotiating a three-year contract. Interim Superintendent Eva Collins will remain in her role until Mills arrives and then return to her position as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
All three finalists for the Bellevue position – Mills, Dr. Alex P. Apostle and Dr. Mark Mitrovich – voiced good positions and made good sense in the interview process.
One of the major developments in Bellevue schools has been the growing number of immigrants – and languages – in the classrooms. Mills, 59, spoke eloquently to that issue when he said thatthere not only be an understanding and tolerance of different backgrounds, but also acceptance of them.
We need to promote and support that – and it’s something that should not be a standalone in districts,” Mills said, “but something that should be integrated in to our work each and every day, and in to the actual culture of our schools.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Another strong point: Mills, a musician and former band teacher, looks to be a strong advocate for arts in the schools. As he said at a community meeting on May 24, “I believe the arts provide a tremendous opportunity for students to express themselves.”
Again, we agree.
Like all candidates who aspire to lead a nationally respected school district such as Bellevue, Mills has a solid track record in past and current employment. He’s been superintendent of the North Clackamas School District in Oregon since 2009 — a district serving more than 17,000 students. He was named Colorado’s Superintendent of the Year in 2009. He also has been a middle school principal and assistant principal and began his career as a teacher in Colorado and Arizona.
We look forward to having him be part of the community.
– Craig Groshart, Bellevue Reporter
