Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The Colfax High School principal search is nearing its final slate of candidates—a process that began last month with the hiring of Jim Howard of Northwest Leadership Consultants in Spokane. Howard’s efforts have resulted in as many as 18 applicants for the position vacated by the resignation of Gary Weitz.
Wednesday, Superintendent Michael Morgan and Jennings Principal Tom Arlt were scheduled to meet with Howard, when he was expected to present the candidates listed in order according to priorities sought by the district.
From that list, Howard was expected to recommend the top candidates, anywhere from three to as many as six.
“At that point, he kind of turns it over to us,” Supt. Morgan said after Monday night’s school board session.
Once the final candidates have been chosen, Morgan plans to schedule interviews in Colfax next Wednesday, April 18.
“That’s what we’re after,” he said.
On Monday and Tuesday of next week, the district will perform further reference checks. If the interviews go ahead on Wednesday, Morgan and others will make site visits on Thursday and Friday.
Site visits are when representatives from Colfax visit the towns and schools where the candidates work now.
If each of the interview candidates is indeed able to be here next Wednesday, a forum will be conducted for the community to meet the applicants.
Howard began the search process by sending out notices to 4,000 schools, including every school district in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
A total of 26 requests came in for application packets.
“We think there’s going to be some great candidates,” Morgan said.
The Colfax school board will ultimately choose the new principal, possibly as soon as their next meeting, April 23.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
Reader Comments(0)