The High Desert Education Service District’s long-time Superintendent Dr. Dennis Dempsey will be retiring in June after having served in education for more than 36 years. Transition planning discussions are taking place to determine next steps.
“My world has always revolved around children, classrooms, student activities and education and it’s been a remarkable experience,” said Dempsey. “I’ve reached a point at which I need to focus on my health and family and I’m ready to pass the torch to a new superintendent with a fresh perspective,” he added.
As superintendent for the HDESD since 2000, Dempsey has worked to improve education by providing cost-efficient, regional services to several of Central Oregon’s school districts, including Bend La Pine, Sisters, Crook County and Redmond. In addition to his work within the local school districts, he has been an advocate for students and education through his appointments and leadership on several state boards and organizations including: Oregon Association of Educational Service Districts, State of Oregon Education Enterprise Steering Committee, Confederation of Oregon School Administrators, Oregon Association of Secondary School Administrators and the Oregon Virtual School District.
During the last 12 years Dempsey was also the superintendent of the Brothers School District from 2000-2006 and was superintendent for the Black Butte School District in 2008-2009 and twice has was interim superintendent in Sisters. “When you are an ESD superintendent you get to wear a lot of different hats depending on the needs of your local school districts.”
As a champion for Education Service Districts, Dempsey has focused his career on ensuring that all school districts – regardless of size -- have access to quality special education, information technology, financial and administrative support services that are affordable and allow teachers to focus on classroom instruction.
“The role of Education Service Districts in Oregon has become increasingly important over the past several years,” said Dempsey. “As education funding continues to decrease, ESD’s have to find creative ways to support our schools and we believe we can do that by consolidating certain services and sharing resources among multiple school districts,” he added.
Dempsey, who is currently working closely with the HDESD’s board of directors to create a leadership transition plan, believes that the biggest challenge for the next superintendent will be to position ESDs for future funding and infrastructure changes.
“We’ve been working to help legislators and community members understand how regional education services can save money for schools and relieve district staff of some of the administrative tasks that distract from teaching,” said Dempsey.
When asked to share the highlight of his career in education, Dempsey said he’s had the opportunity to know thousands of great students and hundreds of extraordinary educators.
“The highlight has been the opportunity to work with amazing students and people who were and are passionate about the children they serve,” said Dempsey.
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