Seaside School District: A hello and a goodbye

Published 3:47 pm Friday, February 20, 2026

New board member appointed, superintendent announces retirement

Snow dusted the streets of Seaside Tuesday night as the Seaside School District Board members cast their votes to fill a vacant seat — selecting a familiar face in the district’s finances.

In a 4-2 vote, the board appointed Coral Sadler, a controller at Escape Lodging and a member of the district’s budget committee, over applicants Derek Urbach and Kelsey Betts.

“I don’t think there was a miss with any of those applicants,” board member Brian Taylor said. “(Sadler) does have a little bit more experience with the school and our financial budget.”

Board member Sondra Gomez said Sadler’s consistent participation on the budget committee influenced her decision.

Board member Jason Haag said Sadler stood out for the thoroughness of her written application.

“We’re all volunteering and showing a commitment to get involved in the community either through the budget committee or through the board,” Haag said.

Haag also commended Urbach, owner and operator of the Bridge Tender Bar, for taking time to do more.

“He works all night and has time during the day and he wants to fill that time by jumping into schools, which is what all of our staff has asked us to do more of,” Haag said. “And he’s already doing that … he stood out to me.”

Sadler said as a parent with a child in school, becoming a board member matters to her not just as a community member, but personally.

“Our schools shape our kids’ experiences every day, and I want to help make sure they feel supported, challenged and excited to learn,” she said.

The appointment comes as the district prepares for another transition.

After six years as superintendent at Seaside School District, Susan Penrod announced her retirement at Tuesday’s meeting.

“I didn’t take this decision lightly,” she said. “ But it is time to relax a little bit, spend a little more time volunteering and doing more in the community.”

Penrod began her career in 1989 as a fourth grade teacher. She has more than two decades in education as a teacher, school counselor, instructional coach and administrator, spanning a career in Oregon and Illinois.

“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done together in Seaside School District,” she said, “including implementing an instructional framework, developing a comprehensive special education program for all students with disabilities within our district. (And) building the new softball field, starting the Seaside Education Foundation to raise money for the future Performing Arts Center, and developing an Emergency Management Plan to keep everyone safe.”

Penrod will remain in her role through Aug. 31 and will assist the board in the search for her successor.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17.