Bentonville West High principal search narrowed to nine

BENTONVILLE -- The School District will interview nine people hoping to be the first principal at West High School, said Judy Marquess, executive director of secondary instruction.

Thirty people applied for the job. Those to be interviewed next week include all three Bentonville School District employees who applied: Lincoln Junior High School principal Jonathon Guthrie and Bentonville High School assistant principals Eric Hipp and Jack Loyd.

Others advancing to the first round of interviews include: Debbie Atwell, professional development coordinator for the Rogers School District; David Morford, high school principal in Olathe, Kan.; Tony Sappington, high school associate principal in Broken Arrow, Okla.; Edwin Strickland, Responsive Education Solutions superintendent of Arkansas schools; Paula Webber, high school assistant principal in Alief, Texas; and David Wilson, high school associate principal in Jefferson City, Mo., according to a list provided by the district.

District officials hope to hire the principal by April. That person will begin the new job July 1. West High School is being built on Gamble Road in Centerton. It is scheduled to open in August 2016.

The first round of interviews will happen Tuesday, Marquess said. Each candidate will interview with two committees. One group will consist of students, teachers, administrators and classified staff members. The other group will be smaller and consist of four community representatives.

Finalists will advance to a second round of interviews with Marquess and Superintendent Michael Poore.

NW News on 03/04/2015

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