Colfax principal search down to two

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Apr 26, 20120

One finalist eliminated after interview, input day in Colfax

The process to hire a new principal at Colfax High School entered into a third phase this week after three finalists visited Colfax for a day of interviews.

Following the 10-hour session last Wednesday, Buck Marsh and Jeff Pietela were deemed the top two contenders for the job.

Brett Simpson, 39, Curlew, one of three finalists going through the interview process last week, is now placed with three alternates who will be considered if a hire cannot be concluded from the remaining two finalists.

Following last Wednesday’s meetings, interviews and forums, the search committee of Superintendent Michael Morgan, Jennings Elementary principal Tom Arlt and Assistant Principal Terry Asbjornsen gathered input and moved to the next step; site visits.

A group from Colfax went to Pietila’s town of Mattawa and Wahluke High School on Monday and are scheduled to visit Marsh’s town of Bridgeport, Wash., next week.

The original aim to recommend a final candidate to the school board April 23 was not met, due to scheduling conflicts involving both the candidates and Colfax evaluators.

The new goal is to present a final choice to the school board May 14.

Supt. Morgan updated the school board Monday night. He noted the opening, posted March 8, attracted a total of 19 candidate applications.

Jim Howard of Northwest Leadership Consultants pointed out five candidates who met Colfax’s criteria.

“We selected a sixth,” Morgan explained.

He said the applicant group had a natural dividing point based on the levels of experience.

The three finalists came to Colfax April 11. Each candidate was taken on a tour of the community and given a one -hour written examination. They were interviewed by a group of seven staff members.

Arlt, special education teacher Jennifer Fulfs and Morgan drove to Mattawa and Wahluke High School to talk to teachers and colleagues of Pietila.

Next Monday, the three will pay a visit to Bridgeport where Marsh is an assistant principal and athletic director.

Reference checks will conclude May 4.

“We’re really excited about the candidate pool,” Morgan said. “But we’re not gonna find someone that doesn’t have a weakness.”

Morgan said that if something disqualifies Pietila or Marsh, they will open it to consideration of the alternates.

Last Wednesday night, Colfax residents gathered in the high school library and Morgan introduced each of the three finalists.

Attendees then divided into three classroom groups to meet each candidate individually.

Buck Marsh

Marsh, 39, sat down, introduced himself and was asked why he is applying in Colfax.

He answered that it appeals to him and his wife.

“To be honest, it is a much better place than where we’re at now,” Marsh said.

He talked about wanting to stay at the small-town level to raise his four kids in that environment.

He was asked if he has any friends or family working in the Colfax district.

“No I don’t. Not that I know of,” he said.

He was asked about his goals.

“I want to build four happy, healthy and holy children,” he answered, along with wanting to get a doctorate.

“We want to live in a town with a piano teacher,” added Marsh.

He said he doesn’t consider going to sports events at night as work.

“I spend a lot of time in classrooms and hallways. That’s where the action is,” Marsh explained.

Answering further inquiries, he indicated that he was proud to have “turned things around in Bridgeport,” and installed “a sense of purpose” there.

“I’m a pretty serious person,” Marsh said. “I like to joke around too but I’m really serious about kids being serious.”

He said that the key parts of learning occur in high school.

“I didn’t learn how to write essays in college,” Marsh said. “I learned in Mr. O’Brien’s 11th grade history class.”

Asked about his day in Colfax to that point, he pointed out that he appreciated the insightful questions from students.

“This is just a great town, a great school,” he said.

Regarding discipline, things happen on a case by case basis, he said, adding that the trouble with 100 percent consistency is when one kid has already been suspended three times and another it’s their first offense.

“I’m never going to explain to you some other kid’s punishment,” Marsh said. “What happens sometimes is you make deals. At the end of the day, it’s never 100 percent consistent, never 100 percent transparent.”

Jeff PietIla

Pietila, 54, stood in front of the people assembled, told of his career experience and educational background, saying he started college at WSU.

He was asked if he has any friends or family members in the district.

“I do not. I do not,” he said.

Pietila indicated that his strength was in his “diversity of experience.”

Asked about how to handle the disparity of No Child Left Behind with advanced learners, he said both groups should be served.

“Those (advanced kids) deserve as much support as the kids on I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan),” Pietila said.

He told of what he likes about his job.

“I love the resilience of youth. They don’t quit,” he said.

Asked why he was applying here, Pietila answered that he applied for the superintendent job in Tekoa last year and that he and his wife would like to settle in a place where he could finish his career and retire.

He told the assembled about a staff technique he employs.

It’s called “Monday notes.” Every Sunday, Pietila types out notes of plans for the week and sends it by e-mail to the staff.

He was asked if he believes in the chain of command.

“Yes, but it should be as flat as possible,” he answered.

He indicated that it is key to be honest with parents, teachers and students alike.

“If I’m not honest with you and truthful with you, the entire community is going to know about it,” he said.

Pietila was asked about preferential treatment.

“I don’t care if a kid’s been in my school for a week or their family’s been here a hundred years,” he said.

A teacher inquired of him about his grading policies.

“My expectation is for teachers’ grades to be up to date every week,” said Pietila.

In closing, he said that he would like to work another 10 years.

“I’m never going to go into neutral,” he vowed.