Oasis Academy executive director finalists named

Four candidates are moving forward in the search for the next Oasis Academy executive director/K-8 principal.

After reviewing application materials, the search committee has narrowed the finalists to Dr. Bobby Allen, Melissa Cook-Sanford, Dennis Holmes, and Rochelle Tisdale.

Finalists will participate in a virtual open forum on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. They will be asked to respond to questions submitted by Oasis Academy stakeholders. A link to the forum will be available to the Oasis community on Monday.

Viewers will not be able to interact with the candidates during the forum, but they will be asked to submit feedback regarding the finalists to the Oasis Academy Board of Directors at its conclusion.

In person interviews will then be held with the Oasis Academy Board of Directors on the evening of March 27 from 5-9 p.m. Candidates will also receive a tour of the Oasis Academy campuses and be able to meet with staff that day.

On March 28 a special board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. for deliberations regarding the candidates and possible action.

Board interviews are subject to open meeting laws with the public welcome to attend.

Bobby Allen

Allen is an experienced educator who started his career in education in 1997. He has served as an academic leader at the school and district levels for many years.

Allen is a well-published author and proven leader who has led turn-around efforts in several schools. He is also a well-decorated officer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he served a total of eight and one-half years.

He has been married 31 years, and he and his wife have three adult children.

Melissa Cook Sanford

Melissa Cook Sanford 

Sanford earned a dual Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, her Master’s of Education degree at Sierra Nevada College, and her medical Master of Arts degree at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. She has been a Nevada educator for over 20 years serving in the capacities of a classroom teacher and administrator.

Sanford has worked with students and teachers in a variety of K-12 settings: rural and urban, comprehensive and alternative, and pre-school to adult.

Sanford said that she believes a growth mindset is key for educators and administrators. She has a contagious passion for language instruction, social emotional learning, and working with at risk youth. Sanford and her husband are parents to three children, and she belongs to many community service clubs.

Dennis Holmes

Dennis Holmes Holmes has over 30 years of experience as an educator. He has taught in grades 1-12 and served in every leadership role at the school level. He was an associate superintendent of Instructional Support in an 8,700-student district in Gillette, Wyoming.

Holmes is known as hard-working and dedicated and being the first in and last out as well as for his trustworthiness and loyalty.

Rochelle Tisdale

Rochelle Tisdale 

Tisdale is a long-time resident of Fallon and Churchill County. She taught elementary school in Lyon County before coming to Oasis Academy.

Tisdale has been with Oasis Academy for over 10 years, most recently serving as chief academic officer and as interim chief executive officer. One of her greatest accomplishments was designing and opening Oasis Academy College Prep high school in 2015. The high school has been a 5-star school with a 100% graduation rate since its inception.

Tisdale said she considers it an honor to watch as Oasis Academy has grown from 180 students to almost 800. She earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master’s degree in educational leadership. She has raised two boys in Fallon, and she said the community is her home.