Tekoa's Cordell offered Harrington post

TEKOA — The Harrington School Board unanimously selected Tekoa Superintendent John Cordell to lead the district during a meeting March 30.

“He comes to us with a ton of experience and enthusiasm,” Vice Chairman John Evans said, noting the position is part-time. “He is really focused on students and staff as well. His energy was off the charts.”

Cordell could not be reached for comment before press time.

The offer comes just two weeks after Cordell announced his resignation as Tekoa School District superintendent.

After less than a year on the job, Cordell tendered his resignation March 16, citing a lack of financial resources to hire a full-time K-12 principal and keep him on full-time as superintendent.

Cordell has been functioning in both capacities since he was hired last year.

Cordell offered to stay on as a part-time Tekoa superintendent following the June 30 effective date of his resignation letter.

In an interview with The Gazette after the session, Cordell said he was looking for part-time opportunities close by, so he could continue in Whitman County and not have to move from his St. Maries, Idaho, hometown.

He appears to have found that in Harrington.

“He had already spent time learning about our school before his interview,” Evans said. “We are beyond excited to have him.”

The terms of Cordell’s employment offer were not immediately available, and school officials didn’t know if he had accepted the post.

Cordell said small schools like Tekoa and Harrington will be sharing more and more staffing resources in the wake of the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision, which mandated revision of the basic education funding formula.

That formula benefits big districts, not small ones, Cordell said.