Mr. Don Grotting joined Mcpherson & Jacobson in 2022.
Mr. Grotting served as a Superintendent in Oregon for 25 years, during which time, he established himself as a leader in the state and national education arena as well as the communities he served. His dedication to students, educators, and their families is evident in his past work and accomplishments as a teacher, principal, and Superintendent in the Powers, Nyssa, David Douglas, and Beaverton School Districts.
Prior to being selected as superintendent and coming to the Beaverton School District in 2016, superintendent Grotting was selected as Oregon Superintendent of the Year in 2014, while serving in the David Douglas School District. His work in closing the Achievement Gap, pioneering and expanding Early Childhood Education in partnership with the Children’s Institute, elevating educator voice, and improving instruction with the Chalkboard Project, and expanding Fine Arts opportunities for students of poverty were cited in in the selection process. He was also selected as Oregon Music Administrator of the Year in 2015 for his support and dedication to funding and supporting music education for all students, but especially students of poverty.
Mr. Grotting began his education career in the Powers School District which achieved New Century School District status for the district’s innovation in career pathways for rural students and working with community colleges and state colleges to bring college dual credit course opportunities to his isolated students. He then worked as Superintendent for the Nyssa School District in Eastern Oregon from 2000 to 2010 and was credited with transforming that District into a statewide model for student achievement and closing the achievement gap. In 2005, Nyssa became the first school district in Oregon to be presented the Closing the Achievement Gap Award by the Oregon Department of Education. The Nyssa School District was made up of 60% Latino students, with 40% of those students being migrant. In addition, all their schools approached a 90% poverty rate. He was credited with expanding post-secondary opportunities for undocumented students and creating and expanding a vibrant migrant preschool and summer school.
In the Beaverton School District, Superintendent Grotting continued to improve graduation rates during his tenure. He has significantly created and expanded pre-school opportunities for high poverty and vulnerable students and their families. By working with the Children’s Institute, early childhood providers, pre-school promise, and other stakeholders, the district expanded two pre-schools every year and became a model school district in embedding early childhood education into the K-12 system. He has also been instrumental in expanding. Outside of his school district responsibilities,
Mr. Grotting also participated and volunteered his time to several organizations as vice-chair the Governor’s Educator Advancement Council, a member of the Oregon Association of Superintendents Education and Leadership Council, Oregon Association of School Executives Early Learning Workgroup, past chair of the Portland State Graduate School of Education Advisory Committee, and he has served multiple terms on the Oregon Schools Activities Board as President and board member, focused on advancing opportunities in speech, dance, music, cheerleading, and athletics where he received the National Federation of High Schools Service award in 2016 and Service Merit award in 2022.
Mr. Grotting grew up one of six children in Coquille, Oregon and served in the U.S. Army after high school. After his service, he returned to work at the local Georgia-Pacific sawmill. During the downturn in the timber industry, and due to environment factors, he went back to school and graduated magna cum laude from Linfield College in Elementary Education. He earned his Masters Degree in Educational Policy, Foundations and Administration from Portland State University in 1996, and achieved an Administrative License from Portland State University two years later. Mr. Grotting attained his Superintendent’s License in 2001 from Lewis and Clark College. He is the first in his family to attend college. He is married to his wife, Lisa, and has four children and now resides in Arizona.