Schools
Community Input Part of Pleasantville Principal Search
The Board of Education reports 26 applications have been received for the position as of Friday.
An opening for the top administrator position at Pleasantville High School has started to generate interest in a short period of time, the district's Board of Education announced in a community email today.
"We have received 26 applications to date," the board shared.
The vacancy comes after the board's June 18 decision to approve an agreement between the district, the Pleasantville Administrators Association and current Principal Dawn Bartz, who resigned effective July 31.
On Tuesday, board members asserted they hope to fill the position with a permanent experienced high school principal in time for the start of the 2013-14 academic year in September—a move some community members said seemed rushed.
"At the same time, we are canvassing prospective candidates to act as an interim principal in the event that we are unable to find a suitable candidate for the vacancy," the board said.
While Board Vice President Shane McGaffey said Tuesday he would like to keep the search confidential in order to attract the most highly-qualified candidates, the board's statement today advises differently.
"We are engaging the services of an educational consultant to assist in the interview process," the memo read. "In addition, we are forming a committee of staff and community members to participate in the interview process."
The circumstances surrounding two-year principal Bartz's resignation have stirred controversy in the community, as the district continues to cite a confidentiality clause in the agreement in lieu of providing an explanation for the move.
Bartz herself has also been vocal in asking the board to reconsider and allow her to return to the position.
The Board said it will update the community on the search process at its July 9 meeting.
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