OSSA names 2023 Administrator of the Year from Linn County

Release date: 5/6/23

Santiam Canyon School District, Ore. —Todd Miller was selected as the Oregon Small Schools Administrator of the Year for 2023. Miller has served as the Santiam Canyon School District Superintendent for the past 11 years. In that period of time, he has developed a partnership with Strengthen Families and Early Learning Hub to start a preschool program. His preschool program is in a separate building the school district purchased through grant funds in establishing a much-needed robust preschool program in the canyon.

He successfully passed a general obligation bond for the purpose of building a new 7-12 school building, and the new classrooms are state of the art with interiors that reflect the timber/lumber industry.

Miller began working with Oregon Rural Schools Network five years ago to develop the district's identity
and maxims. The end product were maxims that the entire community can live by and three goals the
district can use for future growth and work.

In September 2020, the Beachie Creek Fire and Lionshead fire came together in the Santiam Canyon.
Miller managed and helped in the aftermath with the recovery, community coordination, and cleanup.

He directly helped develop the community slogan/movement “The Maxim Canyon Strong” campaign and it is credited as one of the phrases that helped bring everyone together as they worked to recover from the devastation.

He has also been a mentor to other administrators and he is a leader in the LBL ESD region of superintendents. One of his colleagues said "Todd has been through a lot the last few years, yet he finds the time to mentor and support his colleagues, and he does it with a very positive attitude and leadership style.”

Miller received his OSSA 2023 Administrator of the Year award at COSA's Seaside conference on June 23, 2023.

“The OSSA Board of Directors is very happy to honor Todd Miller this year. He is an exemplary leader whose work has improved the success of students in Oregon’s small school districts,” said OSSA Executive Director Michael Carter.

OSSA recognizes one school administrator each year who excels in his/her leadership position. Criteria include integrity, leadership, commitment to community, scholarship and student achievement. OSSA serves as an advocate for the benefits of rural education and small schools across the state. For more information, contact Michael Carter at 541-947-3347.