District Announces Administrator Changes for the 2022-23 School Year
Gary Bennett, Chief Financial Officer
Gary Bennett, current Assistant Superintendent in the Sherwood School District, has been selected as the District’s new Chief Financial Officer, starting in the 2022-23 school year. This position will replace the Director of Finance position, which will become vacant at the end of the 2021-22 school year following the retirement of administrator Phil Johanson.
Mr. Bennett first joined the Sherwood School District in July 2009, serving for three years as Principal at Sherwood Middle School before joining the District Office as the Chief Academic Officer in 2012. In 2015, Mr. Bennett transitioned to the role of Assistant Superintendent, overseeing the District’s Teaching and Learning Department. Prior to his time in the Sherwood School District, Mr. Bennett worked in the finance sector, as well as served as a teacher and TOSA in the Tigard-Tualatin School District for 11 years. Mr. Bennett received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Oregon and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University. He completed additional graduate studies at Portland State University and Lewis and Clark College.
When asked about his upcoming transition to the Chief Financial Officer position, Mr. Bennett shared “I am so excited to bring together my experience and knowledge from the financial and educational sectors as I take this next step in my career, and to apply those backgrounds as I support the District’s continuing focus on fiscal responsibility. Our district has a strong and talented Fiscal Services team, and I look forward to working closely with them in the coming school year.”
Dr. Joshua Fritts, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Joshua Fritts, current Director of Student Services, has been selected as the next Assistant Superintendent, as the role will be vacated by Mr. Bennett’s transition to the Chief Financial Officer position on July 1, 2022.
Prior to joining the Sherwood School District in March of 2021, Dr. Fritts served as the Head of School at Ruamrudee International School’s Ratchapruek Campus in Thailand, and was the Elementary Principal at Ruamrudee International School’s Minburi campus prior to the opening of the Ratchapruek Campus. He has also served as the Head of Elementary at The Lab School of Washington in Washington, D.C., Head of Teaching and Learning for Qatar Foundation schools in Qatar where he founded the Awsaj Teaching and Learning Center, Director of Special Education for the Beaverton School District, and Special Programs Administrator for Portland Public Schools. Before becoming an administrator he served as a teacher, Learning Specialist, and Instructional Assistant. Truly committed to quality education for all, Dr. Fritts is also an instructor in the University of the People’s Master of Education in Advanced Teaching program.
While Dr. Fritts’ career has taken him around the world, he has called Oregon his home since college, attending Clackamas Community College and Portland State University, before going on to complete his doctorate in education at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
“I am honored to be moving into the role of Assistant Superintendent here in Sherwood, a district truly committed to the success of all students and the engagement of all community members,” noted Dr. Fritts. “While it will be difficult to live up to the incredible work that Gary Bennett, current Assistant Superintendent, has done over the past decade, I look forward to the challenging work as we continue to move the Sherwood School District forward in being an educational leader amongst Oregon districts, while continuing to keep the focus where it needs to be — centered upon students.”
Eryn Gonzales Randles, Director of Student Services
Eryn Gonzales Randles, current Associate Director of Student Services, has been selected as the next Director of Student Services, as the role will be vacated by Dr. Fritts’ transition to the Assistant Superintendent position on July 1, 2022.
Ms. Gonzales Randles first came to the Sherwood School District in her current role as Associate Director of Student Services in 2017. During her five years with SSD, she has supported Special Education and Health Services, served as a member of the SSD Teaching and Learning Team, and co-led the development of the Culture of Care program for Sherwood elementary schools. Prior to joining Sherwood School District, Ms. Gonzales Randles was a special education teacher and TOSA for 10 years in the Greater Albany Public School District. Ms. Gonzales Randles has also served as an adjunct professor for the Western Oregon University special education teacher preparation program.
She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Oregon State University, Master of Science Degree in Education from Western Oregon University, and completed her administrative credential programs through Portland State University and Concordia University-Chicago. In addition to her roles in education, Ms. Gonzales Randles has also served as a personal support worker for county disability services and as a group home supervisor for adults with disabilities.
Noted Ms. Gonzales Randles, “During the past five years, it has been my great pleasure to build relationships with and serve the students, staff, and families of Sherwood. I am honored to step into this new role and to continue working alongside the phenomenal professionals in our district as we strive to provide the very best support and services to our community.”
“Regardless of the time these administrators have served in our district, all three consistently demonstrate their high standard of servant leadership, dedication to the success of our students, and commitment to building relationships within the Sherwood School District community,” shared Superintendent Dr. Heather Cordie. “I am thrilled to continue working alongside each of these extraordinary leaders.”