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Eugene School District 4J

Equity. Excellence. Innovation.

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Superintendent’s Office

SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE

The superintendent provides leadership for the district and is ultimately responsible for all areas of the district’s operation. The superintendent provides executive leadership and administrative direction for all departments, services and programs, and is responsible for proposing and implementing long-range plans.

Dr. Mickelson has served as the superintendent of Eugene School District 4J since July 1, 2025.

 

From the Superintendent 

Hello 4J community!

This is one of my favorite times of the year: the beginning of a new school year. 

Our teachers and staff are energized, setting up their schools and classrooms. Thousands of students come into our schools, some for the first time, and meet the teachers who will make a life-long impression, as they discover a love of learning. I think back to how excited I was as a student. A little scared, but hopeful. And how good it felt to make new friends, see old friends, and just discover so many new ideas and try new things. 

As I spend time in our 4J community, I can see how deeply our staff want the best for our students. They are constantly improving their skills. Finding new ways to connect with each student. That's exactly as it should be: growing together. Putting students at the center of all our work. I hope families, students and our educators all share the excitement and optimism of a new year as we start this journey together!

— Dr. Miriam Mickelson

 

Learn more about Dr. Miriam Mickelson

 

A woman with long black hair smiles at the camera.

 

Contact Information

Superintendent
Miriam Mickelson | 541-790-7716

Operations Manager
Lisa Fjordbeck | 541-790-7716

 

 

Superintendent's Entry Plan

This entry plan marks the beginning of a multi-year commitment to building a stronger, more equitable, and aligned school system — one grounded in student learning and belonging. As superintendent, my leadership is shaped by the values of:

 

  • Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: Every student and adult feels seen, valued and connected, particularly those historically and currently marginalized.
  • Collaboration: We lead together, learn together and grow together.
  • Compassion: We act with kindness, empathy, transparency, and care in all relationships.
  • Longevity and Sustainability: We build systems and empower people for lasting impact.

  • The core purpose of this work is to ensure that every student in 4J is thriving — academically, socially, emotionally, culturally, and behaviorally. We are especially committed to the success of students who have been historically and are currently underserved.

    1. Evaluate and enhance early literacy initiatives
      Goal: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of current early literacy programs and identify areas for improvement to increase early literacy rates across the district
       
    2. Implement the new school board resolution affirming the rights, inclusion, and success of students with disabilities
      Goal: Develop a clear action plan for assessing current inclusion practices, identifying gaps in alignment with the resolution’s principles, and developing staff professional development plan 
       
    3. Build relationships and strengthen two-way communication systems
      Goal: Build and maintain relationships with staff, students, families, and community members and strengthen two-way communication with families, students, staff, and the community
       
    4. Develop and implement a strategic planning process
      Goal: Identify systems alignment gaps and needs that form the basis of a strategic plan, develop district strategic goals and priorities that underpin the plan, and lead the development of a concise, dynamic strategic plan with clear goals and measurable outcomes, aiming for adoption by Fall 2026
       
    5. Establish a transparent, collaborative budget process
      Goal: Develop and implement a transparent, collaborative budgeting process that aligns financial resources with the district's strategic priorities, promoting fiscal responsibility and community trus

  • Connecting and Learning Series (July 2025–June 2026)

    The Connecting & Learning Series is an engagement effort designed to build trust, glean insights, and create shared purpose. It includes:

    • School, program, and department visits
    • Conversations with students, staff, employee groups, families, and community members
    • Focus groups, listening sessions, surveys, and check-ins

    Goal: Identify district strengths and challenges to inform strategic priorities


    Community Coalition (Launch: Fall 2025)

    The Community Coalition is an inclusive advisory group formed from the superintendent search community interview panels. It allows for continuity in participation (from the interview process to onboarding of the new superintendent).  

    Purpose:

    • Support the superintendent’s entry plan and community engagement efforts
    • Offer insights into the strengths and needs of the district
    • Assist in the analysis and synthesis of key learnings from the Connecting and Learning Series and First 100 Days report
    • Provide input on the development of the district’s strategic goals and priorities
    • Review and give feedback on the draft strategic plan

    Meeting Schedule (Tentative):

    • Fall 2025: Kickoff, relationship-building, and feedback on superintendent’s initial learnings
    • November 2025: Provide input on First 100 Days report and draft district strategic priorities
    • June 2026: Provide feedback on draft strategic plan and superintendent’s reflections

  • Timeline Key Milestones and Activities
    July 2025-June 2026 Connecting and learning across schools, programs, departments and communities
    December 2025 First 100 days report
    December 2025 Recommend (for board adoption) strategic goals and priorities to guide FY 2026–27 budget and strategic planning process 
    June 2026 Year one reflection report 
    September 2026 Public presentation of a draft concise, dynamic three-year strategic plan with a November 2026 target launch

District Leadership

Eugene School District 4J is governed by a volunteer seven-member board of directors that hires and oversees a superintendent—the district’s executive officer—who works to implement the board's policies and oversees the day-to-day operations at 4J.

The superintendent, in turn, is supported by their district leadership team that oversees 4J schools and its central office departments to fulfill the district's educational mission.

Below is the organizational chart for 4J's district leadership team (for optimal viewing on mobile, rotate your smartphone sideways to activate landscape mode)

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