Superintendent

Mr. Paul D. Peterson is a 27-year veteran educator with 23 years of leadership experience in schools. Paul attended Washington State University where he earned a degree in English along with his initial teaching credentials. He began his career as a teacher in Cowiche, WA, a small community near Yakima. He earned a master’s degree in Education Administration at Heritage University, and began his administrative career as a high school vice principal in Rawlins, Wyoming. The following year, he was recruited to be the high school principal in Dubois, Wyoming.

Peterson was hired in 1999 to supervise the technology and media systems for Klamath Falls City Schools. Over the next few years, he was promoted into the role of director of business and operations for the 3,500-student district, and then again promoted to the position of personnel director.  Peterson went on to become the superintendent of Scappoose School District from 2006-2011, where under his leadership, the district passed its first bond measure in nearly 40 years and completed all construction projects on time and under budget, earning public praise for leading with transparency throughout the process.

In 2011, he was recruited to become the assistant superintendent of Northwest Regional ESD, providing leadership and support services to over 123,000 students in 20 school districts across four counties. Peterson returned to Scappoose School District to again serve as superintendent for a one-year appointment, establishing a strategic plan and new board governance protocols. He served another interim superintendent position in Silverton, OR. Highlights of Peterson’s career include advances in early learning, innovation in blended learning, and advocacy for STEM.

He and Tracie have two kids, both attending college in the Fall.​