Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The Colfax School District board has approved a candidate for appointment as the next principal of Colfax High School.
The vote Monday night was unanimous, choosing Nathan Whittle — an assistant principal/athletic director from American Falls, Idaho — out of six original candidates. The board will now enter negotiations with him for a contract.
Whittle, along with four other candidates, came to Colfax last week as part of two days of interviewing, culminating in public forums on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, after each met with staff, board members and students during their respective days.
One candidate dropped out of consideration after accepting another job offer.
Participating in the Colfax principal search was Jerry Pugh, the district’s superintendent-to-be, who was hired by the board two weeks ago.
Pugh appeared at the board’s regular meeting Monday to recommend Whittle for the high school principal job.
“A lot of energy, high work ethic, great passion for kids,” he said of Whittle. “Very excited to be a Bulldog. And he brings in five FTE (full-time equivalent students).”
A graduate of Riverside High School north of Spokane, Whittle attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Eastern Washington University. After teaching high school Spanish for 10 years, he earned a masters in curriculum development and reading from Grand Canyon University. He finished his Principal Certification program through E.W.U.
Pugh reported that three candidates were in close contention for the job.
Colfax teachers’ representative Ross Swan was also at the board meeting Monday.
“High marks from people,” he said about Whittle. “I’m excited. Other staff are, too.”
Pugh added that one of the concerns with the choice was Whittle’s energy level.
“He was so high energy, we were wondering, is that for real? It is,” Pugh said, noting that he conferred with the candidate’s current and past employers and staff.
Whittle will replace Buck Marsh, who submitted a letter of resignation in December, his third year as principal. His contract will expire in July.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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