California educator comes in with 34 years' experience

Steve Youngblood of Palm Springs, Calif., has been hired as the Corvallis School District's new assistant superintendent, Superintendent Dawn Tarzian announced Wednesday.

Youngblood is the director of secondary education in the Palm Springs Unified School District, which has more than 24,000 students. He has 34 years' experience in education serving in roles including classroom teacher; director of human resources; principal of elementary, middle and high schools; curriculum coordinator and assistant superintendent.

Youngblood earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho in Moscow and master's and doctoral degrees in education from Seattle University. He has spent most of his professional career in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Tarzian said she and the district's interview team were confident Youngblood would bring a wealth of experience in instruction and curriculum, public relations, staff development and strategic planning to the district.

"We came away from our site visit with the sense that his work in education has been a calling for him, and that he holds a deep commitment to help every child succeed," she said.

Youngblood succeeds Jim Hogeboom, Corvallis' assistant superintendent since July 2005. Hogeboom leaves at the end of June to become superintendent of the Lucia Mar Unified School District in San Luis Obispo County, Calif.