Four candidates are moving closer to the position of the Oasis Academy’s executive director/K-8 principal. After reviewing the application materials, the search committee narrowed the finalists to Dr. Bobby Allen, Melissa Cook-Sanford, Dennis Holmes, and Rochelle Tisdale.
Finalists will participate in a virtual open forum on Tuesday, February 27, from 6-8 p.m. They will be asked to respond to questions submitted by Oasis Academy stakeholders. A link to the forum will be available to the Oasis community on Monday, February. 26.
Viewers will not be able to interact with the candidates during the forum. Still, they will be asked to submit feedback regarding the finalists to the Oasis Academy Board of Directors at its conclusion.
In person interviews will then be held with the Oasis Academy Board of Directors on the evening of March 27 from 5-9 p.m. Candidates will also receive a tour of the Oasis Academy campuses and be able to meet with staff that day.
On March 28, a special board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the candidates and possible action.
Board interviews are subject to open meeting laws, with the public welcome to attend.
Dr. Bobby Allen
Allen (pictured right) is an experienced educator who started his career in education in 1997. He has been an academic leader at the school and district levels for many years.
Allen is a well-published author and proven leader who has led turn-around efforts in several schools. He is also a well-decorated officer of the US Army Corps of Engineers, where he served eight and one-half years. He has been married for 31 years, and he and his wife have three adult children.
Melissa Cook Sanford
Sanford (pictured left) earned a dual Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, her Master of Education degree at Sierra Nevada College, and her medical Master of Arts degree at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona. She has been a Nevada educator for over 20 years, serving in the capacities of a classroom teacher and administrator.
Sanford has been privileged to work with students and teachers in various K-12 settings: rural and urban, comprehensive and alternative, and preschool to adult.
Sanford said she believes a growth mindset is critical for educators and administrators. She has a contagious passion for language instruction, social-emotional learning, and working with at-risk youth. Sanford and her husband are parents to three children, and she belongs to many community service clubs.
Dennis Holmes
Holmes (pictured right) has over 30 years of experience as an educator. He has taught in grades 1-12 and served in every leadership role at the school level. He was an associate superintendent of Instructional Support in an 8,700-student district in Gillette, Wyoming.
Holmes is known as hard-working and dedicated, being the first in and last out, and for his trustworthiness and loyalty.
Rochelle Tisdale
Tisdale (pictured above) is a long-time resident of Fallon and Churchill County. She taught elementary school in Lyon County before coming to Oasis Academy.
Tisdale has been with Oasis Academy for over ten years, most recently serving as chief academic officer and interim chief executive officer. One of her most significant accomplishments was designing and opening Oasis Academy College Prep High School in 2015. The high school has been a 5-star school with a 100% graduation rate since its inception.
Tisdale said she considers it an honor to watch as Oasis Academy has grown from 180 students to almost 800. She earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in educational leadership. She raised two boys in Fallon and said the community is her home.
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