Bend-La Pine School Board appoints La Pine resident, retired community college president to fill board vacancy

Ross Tomlin also taught forestry at COCC, helped La Pine HS program

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Ross Tomlin, a retired community college president who lives in La Pine, was appointed Tuesday night to fill a vacancy on the Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors. Board members interviewed three finalists for the appointment and voted 5-0 for Tomlin to fill the Zone 6 at-large seat.

Tomlin will take the new board member oath of office at the beginning of the regular board meeting on Tuesday, December 10. His appointment will run through June 30, 2025. The Zone 6 seat will be on the ballot in the May 20, 202 election for a two-year term.

Tomlin recently retired as president of Tillamook Bay Community College after 42 years in roles with several community colleges. He recently taught forestry at Central Oregon Community College and helped the La Pine High School forestry program prepare for state competition.

“My passion has always been education,” Tomlin wrote in his application cover letter. “I truly believe it is one of the main keys to the success of our country. I would like to continue contributing to a successful educational system in Central Oregon that gets kids excited about learning and helps them find their passion in life to be a contributor to society.”

He added, “One of the big challenges I see school districts facing today is providing a safe and inclusive atmosphere for students to learn. It is critical to their success.”

Tomlin was a full-time instructor for over 20 years, then served as a college administrator for almost 23 years. He said much of his community college experience overlapped with K-12 school issues, including the transition of high school students to college.

The board selected the three finalists from seven applicants on October 8. The other finalists were Brandy Berlin, who has a background in teaching in public, private and charter schools, and as a business owner; and Jenn Lynch, who has served on nonprofit boards, works in finance, and previously was a substitute teacher in the district.

On Tuesday evening, the board asked the three finalists to answer the same set of questions, including:

How do your own personal and professional values align with public education?

What are the particular issues regarding Bend-La Pine Schools that you would like this Board to address and what is your proposed solution?

How do you view the board’s role versus the administration’s role in running the school district, leveraging assets, and addressing challenges?

A controversial matter surfaces at a school and you begin to get questions and opinions from friends, fellow parents, and/or community members about the issue. How will you handle these interactions?

As a Board Member you will serve a diverse group of constituents. Share with us an experience you have had working with people who have different backgrounds, identities, or beliefs than your own? How did you approach this? What did you learn?

The interviews and board vote are available on YouTube at this link.