The Students' Say in the Next Principal

By Emily Rose

On Feb. 1, students gathered at the Media Center for an informal forum to discuss the next SHS Principal. Mr. Ellis conducted the forum and is leading the search for a new principal.  The crowd consisted mostly of juniors.  

Junior Liz Berghoff explained her decision to attend: “I wanted to be able to voice my opinion on our new principal.  I wanted my voice to be heard.”  

Many students voiced their opinions through an online survey with the same goal in mind. The administration says that the students’ choices will be used to determine the qualities listed in the job posting for principal.

“Accessibility,” “presence among the students,” and a “strong value for the arts and foreign language programs” – students ranked these values as the most important for a future principal. Students at the forum hoped for a principal that would be at lunch hours and go to classes and talk to the students about their high school experiences.

Students also expressed an interest in a principal with a complete understanding of extracurricular life. While many students are talented athletes, they said, many are also talented in the arts.

Students pointed out that two administrators are also members of the athletic personnel and they hoped someone affiliated with the arts might “balance” the administration.  

Ellis assured those present that their opinions would be taken into consideration in all steps of the hiring process.

Ellis plans to create a panel of students, community members, and school staff to choose the final applicants. The finalists will be interviewed by a second set of panelists and will provide input about their choice for the next principle.

The process will begin in the spring with final decisions announced in May.  
       

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