Bend, OR – An investigation into the hiring of former Crook County School Board member Jessica Brumble as the district’s new transportation manager has concluded that while the hiring process did not violate district policies, Brumble’s position on the board did influence the decision-making process. In light of the findings, the school board has voted to reopen the position and not hire Brumble.
The investigation was launched following community concerns after Brumble’s appointment in December 2024, shortly after she resigned from the school board. On December 9, Brumble was offered the position of transportation manager, with her resignation from the board occurring the following day. The swift transition raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the hiring process.
According to the investigation’s executive summary, Brumble first expressed interest in the transportation manager role on November 15, 2024, when she texted then-Superintendent Dr. Melissa Skinner asking when the position would be posted. Skinner forwarded the inquiry to Human Resources Director Jay Weeks and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Joel Hoff, directing them to post the job. The position was listed the next day.
A key point of the investigation centered around the qualifications for the role. Two days after Brumble’s initial message, she sent a follow-up text to Skinner, noting that she did not meet certain required qualifications. The investigation found that Skinner advised modifying the job description to list those qualifications as “preferred” rather than “required,” which was subsequently done.
Brumble was one of several candidates who applied for the position, and four interviews were conducted during the hiring process. The interview team, whose members were not named in the report, determined that Brumble was the most qualified candidate for the role. Despite the adjustments to the job qualifications, the investigation found no evidence that Brumble’s qualifications were substandard or that she was not the most qualified applicant.
However, the investigator did acknowledge that Brumble’s former position on the school board influenced the hiring process, though it was determined that the process itself did not breach district policy. Additionally, the investigation did not address whether Brumble’s actions violated district ethics policies or any laws.
In response to the investigation’s findings, the Crook County School Board has decided to reopen the search for the transportation manager position. School district spokesman Rich Simons confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating that the board had chosen not to hire Brumble and would now seek other candidates for the role.
The hiring controversy comes amidst broader concerns over district leadership. Dr. Melissa Skinner, the superintendent at the time of Brumble’s appointment, negotiated a mutual termination of her employment last month following a series of decisions that had drawn public criticism. Dr. Joel Hoff is currently serving as the acting superintendent.
As the district moves forward with a new search for the transportation manager, questions about the fairness and transparency of hiring practices continue to be a focal point of community discussions.
