The search for a new Superintendent for Oneida School District #351 is underway.  When Jon Abrams came to Oneida County as School District Superintendent in 2020, he clearly stated that he would serve as Superintendent for five years.  That time is up in June of this year, and so the School Board is conducting a search for a replacement.

Recognizing that the superintendent pool throughout Idaho is shallow this year, the District is fortunate to have had three persons apply for the position. The application period closed on January 20.

The three applicants are Brady Garner, Dallan Rupp, and Gary Tucker, all of whom are familiar with Oneida School District.

Brady Garner is the current Assistant Superintendent and Director of Special Education and Federal Programs for Preston School District. He grew up in Preston and attended California State-Bakersfield on a wrestling scholarship. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he worked in California schools as a behavioral management specialist in special education. He earned his educational specialist certificate from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho.

Dallan Rupp, a native of New Plymouth, Idaho, is the current Principal of Malad High School and served last year as the High School Assistant Principal and District Athletic Director. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University, master’s degrees from Walden University and Grand Canyon University, and educational specialist certificate from Northwest Nazarene University.  He was the athletic director, PE teacher, and football coach at New Plymouth before moving to Malad.

Gary Tucker is the current Superintendent of Marsh Valley School District although he lives in Malad. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University, a master’s degree from the University of Idaho, and educational specialist certificate from Northwest Nazarene University. He worked as a science teacher and principal at Summit Academy in Utah and as a science teacher at Rigby High School and Rocky Mountain Middle School.

The Board conducted interviews with all three candidates during the afternoon of Wednesday, February 5, and the public was invited to meet the candidates that evening.  The Board plans to make the final decision about the next Oneida School District Superintendent soon.