Lyon school board appoints Logan as next superintendent

Updated Nov. 30:

The Lyon County School Board on Tuesday appointed Deputy Superintendent Tim Logan to fill its district’s top position starting July 1, 2024.

District staff members and parents filled Yerington Elementary School to voice their support of Logan as their choice to become the next superintendent during the board meeting’s public comment. Most expressed they preferred to avoid a nationwide search in favor of selecting a “homegrown” candidate who understands the district’s unique rural needs after Superintendent Wayne Workman announced his resignation in October due to personal reasons. Lyon, which has more than 9,000 students this year and 18 schools in five attendance areas,

Others referred to his history of service as an educator and administrator, having graduated from Douglas High School. He served eight years as a math teacher at Dayton High School, where he coached the boys soccer varsity team for four years followed by girls soccer varsity for four years, and became the school’s assistant principal and eventually its principal. He would move into LCSD’s administration as its human resources director before becoming its deputy superintendent, a position he has held for the past six years.

Dayton Intermediate School Principal Kevin Kranjcec said he believed it to be in the school board’s best interest to hire Logan as its next superintendent.

“Mr. Logan is homegrown … he is in tune with the needs of our teachers, support staff and, most importantly, the students of Lyon County,” he said. “Mr. Logan always carries himself with a tremendous amount of poise, confidence and professionalism.”

Board President Phil Cowee said during the item the board had been “inundated” with communications from groups endorsing Logan or expressing opinions on a search for candidates. He referred to several members of Lyon County’s administrative union and supervisors who bore witness to Logan “working in the trenches” in various departments on a daily basis.

“I believe we’ve had unanimous support from the executive cabinet, and to me, that speaks volumes,” Cowee said.

But Cowee said he had not yet heard from Logan about his personal interest in the role nor why he would want to serve in the top job and called him up to respond to his questions. Logan said he had been a part of the community for 24 years and that he had raised his family in Lyon and held a passion for its schools and students.

“I love this district,” he said. “I’ve seen what the teachers and staff can do with kids and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. That’s why I’m here. I believe in it wholeheartedly. Are we perfect? No. We need to grow. That’s part of the work. … It hurts when I hear people say we’re failing our school system.”

The trustees discussed the potential challenges and issues facing their potential selection, with member Sherry Parsons focused on salary and test scores. Parsons said she thought the hiring process required a committee.

“I think we do need a search because the parents aren’t happy,” Parsons said, addressing Logan. “I think we do need to admit we do have a problem. I don’t think I’d want to work for anybody but Workman or you. … But I just look at test scores and that’s what the parents look at. And I look at the salary.”

Trustee Bridget Petersen said it was a “no-brainer” to appoint Logan and to maintain a seamless transition in leadership for Lyon’s schools and administration.

“To have all the principals endorse Mr. Logan is huge,” Petersen said. “I don’t think this district is a failing district. I will always put teachers and students first.”

The motion to appoint Logan as superintendent was approved 5-1 with Parsons opposed and Trustee Tom Hendrix absent.

Cowee announced he would set up a subcommittee of those who voted in the affirmative to negotiate a contract for Logan and bring it back to the board in December.

Original story, posted Nov. 28:

The Lyon County School Board on Tuesday appointed Deputy Superintendent Tim Logan to fill its district’s top position starting July 1, 2024, after Superintendent Wayne Workman recently announced his resignation.

District staff members and parents filled Yerington Elementary School to voice their support of Logan as their choice to become the next superintendent during the public comment. 

Most expressed they preferred to avoid a nationwide search in favor of selecting a “homegrown” candidate who understands the district’s  rural needs. Others referred to his history of service as an educator and administrator, having graduated from Douglas High School and working in Dayton High School prior to becoming Lyon’s deputy superintendent.

In response to Board President Phil Cowee about his interest in the role, Logan said his passion was for the community.

“I love this district,” Logan said. “I raised my family here, I’ve seen what the teachers and staff can do with kids and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. … It hurts when I hear people say we’re failing our school system.”

The motion passed 5-1 with Trustee Tom Hendrix absent.