Public gets to meet principal candidates

The search for a new Oak Harbor High School principal is under way, and Schools Superintendent Rick Schulte said there seems to be a good interest level from prospective candidates.

“We’ve had quite a few phone calls, and have received applications,” he said.

Principal Dick Devlin is retiring after 13 years at the high school. While the new principal will take over in August, Schulte said they needed to start the search early.

“I have heard the candidate pool is not very extensive,” he said. “It’s difficult to find qualified applicants.”

The district advertised the position last month, and will review applications when it closes March 16. They hope to interview six to eight top candidates, then narrow that to three, who will be introduced at a public forum on March 30 at the high school.

A decision would be made after that, with the new principal selected by the April 12 school board meeting.

Schulte said the public forum option is “not routine, but not unique” to the district. It has been used to hire several elementary school principals in the past.

He said they decided to go with the public forum because the high school has a unique position in the community.

“As a large high school, and the only one in the district, it is the most visible school in the district, and has the most interest,” he said. “It’s also the biggest challenge.”

You can reach News-Times reporter Marcie Miller at mmiller@whidbeynewstimes.

com or call 675-6611.

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