The Oneida School Board conducted a search for a new School District Superintendent during the past few weeks, and on Friday, February 7, they selected Dallan Rupp from the field of three candidates. Jon Abrams, the current Superintendent, emphatically stated when he was hired that he would stay in the position for five years. His term of service will conclude with his retirement at the end of June 2025.

Mr. Rupp currently is the Principal of Malad High School, having taken over during the 2023-2024 school year for Michael Corbett, who had to step away for health reasons.  Mr. Rupp had been serving as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director when he was named Principal.

Mr. Rupp comes from New Plymouth and moved his family to Malad when he accepted the Assistant Principal position in 2023. In the New Plymouth School District, he worked as Athletic Director and a strength and conditioning teacher at the high school.  Prior to that position, he was a physical education teacher at West Elementary School in Mountain Home.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in K-12 physical education from Boise State University in 2006. He holds a master’s degree in education curriculum, instruction, and assessment from Walden University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University, both online programs. He is beginning to work on his education specialist certification through the online educational leadership program at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa.

During the public meetings with the candidates on Wednesday, February 5, Mr. Rupp emphasized the importance of servant leadership when in any leadership role. He has promoted communication among the staff, believing that school improvement comes from within.  He has organized professional development for teachers by arranging for speakers and instructional coaches from Boise State. 

With his background in physical education and coaching, Mr. Rupp firmly believes that extracurricular activities are important for students. He wants all students to be able to participate in activities, which means the school needs to offer a wide range of extracurricular programs, not just sports.

He wants to foster good communication between the schools and the parents. As he has already demonstrated, he believes in follow-through with appropriate consequences when disciplinary actions are necessary. He believes that in-person instruction is best but recognizes the need for alternative forms of instruction, especially online instruction, for some students in some situations.

At the conclusion of the public meeting, Mr. Rupp admitted that he does not look very approachable, but he wants people to feel comfortable going to him with their concerns and questions.  He said he is working on his public approachability because he believes in constant personal improvement.

Mr. Rupp and his wife Anna have four daughters. Two are in college, one attends Malad High School, and the youngest attends Malad Middle School.

The School Board worked with the Idaho State School Boards Association to publicize the position and organize the search process.  The candidates were interviewed individually by the School Board as a whole, were taken on a tour of the District schools, and met individually with approximately 35 members of the public at the public meetings. On Friday, the Board members called references, both those listed by the candidates on their applications and others who would have knowledge of the candidates’ abilities, experience, and suitability for the position. 

Brent Evanson, School Board Chair, stated that “the selection process was thorough with the Board making a lot of reference checks. While it was a close decision among three qualified candidates, we ultimately selected the best person for the position.”

The School Board voted unanimously to offer the position to Dallan Rupp, who immediately accepted upon receiving the offer.  He will officially take over as the Oneida School District Superintendent on July 1, 2025.  Mr. Rupp said, “I am excited for the opportunity of serving this community and the Oneida School District.”