The Philomath School District recently hired Cynthia Barthuly to take over as its student services director, Superintendent of Schools Susan Halliday announced.
Barthuly will come to Philomath from the Brookings-Harbor School District, where she serves as the special programs director, and will replace Don Dorman, who has been serving as Philomath’s interim director.
She will begin the job on July 1.
“I am looking forward to learning from our students, families, educators and the Philomath community as I settle into the new role,” Barthuly said.
Barthuly, who said she is familiar with the area as an Oregon State University graduate, said her interest in special services work originated with a personal experience.
“My mom, she had encephalitis at the age of 7,” Barthuly said. “At that time, there were no services in schools to support students.”
Prior to her time in Brookings-Harbor, Barthuly served as the special education administrator for the South Coast Education Service District for three years and as the special education coordinator at Willamette Education Service District for three years.
“We want to ensure we hire candidates who bring instructional leadership, expertise and a heart for students and staff to work in our schools,” Halliday said. “We look forward to Ms. Barthuly’s energy and commitment to Philomath.”
Barthuly has also spent time as an adjunct professor at Western Oregon University, a apecial education program assistant for the Salem-Keizer School District and a special education teacher at West Salem High School.
Barthuly’s educational background includes a bachelor of science degree in anthropology from OSU and a master of science in special education from Western Oregon University.
Dorman said that as references were contacted, common comments received included “very knowledgeable, always available, hardworking and believes strongly in the power of relationships with and respect for students, staff, families and community.”