Boundary County School District names Bayer as new superintendent

KELLOGG — Kellogg Middle School Principal Jan Bayer was recently selected by the Boundary County School District Board of Trustees as their next superintendent.

Prior to her current position as principal, Bayer served as the Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, Professional Development and Federal Programs Director for the Kellogg and Wallace School Districts.

The decision came after a three-month process, facilitated by the Idaho School Boards Association, and included more than 15 applicants spanning across the country, as well as in-state.

Bayer is a Bonners Ferry native and it was her connection to the area, as well as her proximity to her family, that were the main force behind her applying for and taking the position.

Much like the process the Kellogg School District recently went through to find its new superintendent, the BCSD held multiple meetings over the past few months which included reviewing candidate applications, conducting reference checks and research, and held interviews.

The district also held a meet and greet so members of the staff and community could meet the finalists.

After reading through more than 250 comments from parents and community members, the board ultimately decided on its native daughter Bayer for the position.

“We are excited to have Ms. Bayer lead this district. She has vast experience in education serving in multiple capacities during her tenure,” said Ron MacDonald, board chairman.

“She will be a phenomenal asset to our district. The board spent many hours contemplating candidates and felt that she would be the best person to lead our district into the future. As a district, we have done many good things and we have had our struggles. This is a great opportunity for all of us as individuals and as a district, to become something even greater. Ultimately, our children will reap the benefits of this and I’m excited for our district.”

Bayer is happy to be heading back to the place where she grew up and graduated, but will always cherish her time with the Kellogg School District — despite leaving them to join an Intermountain League rival … just kidding … sort of.

“I absolutely love the Kellogg School District,” Bayer said. “I am thankful to our students, staff and community, and I am extremely thankful to our children's educators.”

Bayer will finish out the school year in her principal role at KMS before stepping into her new role once the new school calendar flips.

Bayer’s husband, Curt-Randall Bayer, is the current principal at Kellogg High School.