Lipe resigns as Colfax principal

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | May 16, 20190

Colfax Junior-Senior High School principal Carrie Lipe has resigned. The school board approved the resignation Monday night, to take affect after this school year is completed.

Lipe’s contract ends in mid-June. The job opening will be posted this week.

“It’s a positive transition, made with a lot of consideration,” said Lipe. “I want to be more available time-wise, energy-wise. These decisions can only be made at a summer juncture. My husband and I both have parents living in Moscow-Pullman and want to support their independent living at their life stage.”

She served as Colfax principal for three years.

“Mrs. Lipe did a great job. She’s an excellent principal and deeply cares about the kids,” said Superintendent Jerry Pugh, who hired her in the spring of 2016.

“She gave her everything. She worked really, super hard. I certainly wish her the very, very best.”

Lipe and husband Kurt moved to Colfax from Spokane three years ago where she coordinated the West Valley School District dropout prevention program and Gateway to College partnership.

Colfax was her first job as a principal. The Lipes’ son Finn graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane that spring.

Pugh said he and the board hope to hire a new principal by the end of June.

“I do not know what may be next for me, I do know we are here to stay. This is home,” said Lipe, who grew up on the edge of Albion.

Her father, formerWSU anthropology professor Bill Lipe, is now 84.

“I intended to stay longer, maybe five years. We are in a very good spot as a school. I will always have a place in my heart for Colfax. It has been a privilege to serve this community,” she said.