LOSD Taps Principals From Molalla, Hillsboro For New Positions

From Lake Oswego School District 7J: Lake Oswego School District announced the hiring of two key administrative positions. Frank Luzaich, Molalla Elementary School principal, and Lou Bailey, Hillsboro High School principal, will join Lake Oswego School District as Executive Director of Elementary Programs and Executive Director of Secondary Programs, respectively.

Each has more than 20-plus years of public education experience and each is excited to join the LOSD team.

Frank Luzaich began his career as a 5th grade teacher in Sherwood where he taught for 12 years. He then moved into the leadership role at Edy Ridge Elementary in Sherwood. For the past three years he has been the principal at Molalla Elementary School in Molalla River School District.

“My core identity is an elementary teacher and principal. K-5 is in my DNA,” said Luzaich. “To have the opportunity to partner and support elementary principals and their students’ success has been a dream of mine. I know it will be challenging yet fulfilling work. I will have to wear a dozen hats to serve the needs of 2,900 elementary students, their school communities, and the programs and systems that support their success.”

Luzaich is very proud of the work he has done the past three years to lead the numerous academic growth initiatives at his school.

“Our Response to Intervention work, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and our purposeful hiring of culturally diverse teachers have all played a role in improving our students’ performance,” said Luzaich. “It has been an honor to serve our students and their families in creating an even more inclusive and welcoming environment. I’ll miss the Molalla Elementary family.”

Luzaich met his wife Samantha in high school. They live in Sherwood and have two daughters, Ellen and Abby. You may find him coaching students on the basketball court, if he has the time.

He holds a Master’s in Arts of Teaching in Elementary Education from George Fox University and a Bachelor’s of Science in History from Portland State University.

“Both men come with a wealth of experiences, but the most important quality that they brought to the interviews is their commitment to building relationships and finding ways to help all students find success,” said LOSD Assistant Superintendent Michael Musick. “The interview committees felt they would be a great fit in our efforts around All Means All.”

Lou Bailey knew he wanted to be a principal after his third year of teaching.

“Being a leader of a school is a special opportunity to shape the futures of both students and teachers. First it starts with listening in order to build relationships,” said Bailey. “Listening, supporting, and being that go-to person for principals. That is what I am looking forward to in my new position.” Bailey will be responsible for supporting the four secondary principals and their school communities.

As the principal at Hillsboro High School, Bailey, in partnership with his peers, has been an integral part in developing and implementing their restorative practices–beginning with reframing the language around discipline.

“Building an inclusive culture is a process. When we focus on having a growth mindset and working from an asset-based perspective, it is much easier to engage our equity lens whenever we make decisions,” said Bailey.

According to Bailey, Hillsboro’s focus on culturally responsive teaching and learning was the starting point for their work around restorative practices.

“What does an equitable classroom look like? Where are the students’ voices? Are culturally diverse students accessing high level classes? Those are the questions we were asking.”

With more than 25 years of experience as a site administrator for Hillsboro, Korea International High School, West Linn-Wilsonville, Canby, and three districts in California, Bailey brings a depth of experience and a multitude of perspectives to his new position.

Bailey received his Bachelor’s of Science in Language Arts/Writing from Western Oregon State College and his Master’s of Arts in School Administration for California State University, San Bernardino.

Bailey and his wife Jen, an elementary principal in Beaverton, live in West Linn. Travel is their hobby but golf is his distraction.

Both men will begin their tenure July 1, 2018.

Lake Oswego School District is home to 7,000 students and 700 staff members. The district is rated as one of Niche 2018 Best School Districts in the country. Its mission is to be an inclusive and safe learning community with challenging opportunities that develop lifelong learners and contributing world citizens.

Images via Molalla River School District, Travis Loose: (left) Lou Bailey, (right) Frank Luzaich