Bethany families will get three chances to meet Beaverton School District's new superintendent, Dr. Tony Smith, at informal drop-in sessions before and just after the school year begins.

The district announced Wednesday, July 29 that Smith will hold open sessions at three schools. No registration is required. Families can stop by whichever location and time works best.

The closest session to Bethany is Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Mountainside High School Community Room, located at 12500 SW 175th Ave. near the Bethany community. That session falls eight days after the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Two earlier sessions are also available:

  • Thursday, Aug. 13, 7:30–9 a.m. — Tumwater Middle School Library
  • Saturday, Aug. 15, noon–1:30 p.m. — Highland Park Middle School Library

The district described the format as low-key and flexible, with no speeches, presentations, or formal agendas. Attendees can introduce themselves, share a thought, or simply say hello.

Smith took over as superintendent on July 1 after a nationwide search. He was the unanimous choice of the school board and a community-based selection panel. Board Chair Sunita Garg called him "a strong instructional leader with a proven record of improving graduation rates, attendance, and student achievement" when his selection was announced in March.

Before arriving in Beaverton, Smith served as deputy superintendent for Denver Public Schools, with earlier roles as a high school English teacher, principal, and regional superintendent for KIPP Texas Public Schools in Dallas.

On his first day in the role, Smith said his priority would be listening. "I want to spend time in our schools, meet our students and staff, and hear directly from families and community members," he said in the district's July 1 announcement.

The drop-in sessions are the first such events the district has announced since Smith started the job. BSD serves more than 37,000 students across Oregon's second-largest school district, including families at Bethany Elementary and Oak Hills Elementary.

Upcoming community dates:

  • Aug. 13 — Meet the Superintendent, Tumwater Middle School Library, 7:30–9 a.m.
  • Aug. 15 — Meet the Superintendent, Highland Park Middle School Library, noon–1:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 25 — First day of school for BSD students
  • Sept. 2 — Meet the Superintendent, Mountainside High School Community Room, 5:30–7 p.m.