Skyline School Principal Hiring - Community Meeting

February 7th 6:30 p.m. at Skyline

Dear Skyline Community -

You are invited to a Community Meeting about Principal Hiring for 2012-13 – February 7th, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Skyline.

As many of you know, I was asked to serve as Skyline’s interim principal for 2011-12 late in last spring’s principal hiring process.  I have loved my time at Skyline this year, and I write to let you know that I do intend to apply for Skyline’s "permanent" principal position for 2012-13 and beyond.  The Skyline community – families, students, and staff -- deserve full participation in this important decision.  Therefore, you are invited to a Community Meeting on February 7th, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., to participate in the first step in the principal hiring process.

Because I will be an applicant for the position, I cannot participate directly in this community process.  Instead, the Director of Administrative Hiring, John Blanck, and our Region Administrator, Sascha Perrins, will come to Skyline to hear what you think is special about our school, and what qualities you are looking for in Skyline’s “permanent” principal.  Following are the questions that guided the conversation at last year’s Community Meeting:

1. What do you see as the greatest strengths in your school?
2. What do you see as the greatest challenges, which might require a new approach or increased focus?
3. What is unique or special about your school? Is there something you believe the school district should consider in making the selection, or that candidates should know if they want to work at our school?

Following is additional information about the forthcoming Community Meeting from John Blanck:

“At the meeting we will also take time to explain the full hiring process.  We will explain two main possibilities: a) how the Community Meeting information may be used with the Deputy Superintendents to place a current Principal because of a great match between the school and that Principal, or b) if a match is not selected by the Deputy Superintendents, applicants chosen will go through a rigorous process to be selected for interviews.  Since this process happened so late last school year, we’ll have the input from last year for you to refer to, as well.  If you cannot attend that evening, I will have other ways to provide information (on-line and paper surveys, emails, etc.).  If you have questions, please feel free to contact me – John Blanck, Director of Administrative Hiring  jblanck [at] gmail [dot] com<jblanck [at] gmail [dot] com (mailto:jblanck [at] gmail [dot] com)>  or 503-916-3239.”

Regardless of the hiring process, I value your direct and honest feedback about how I’m doing as your principal this year, and how we can build on Skyline’s outstanding potential as an IB World School.  My door and email box are always open for that feedback.  I look forward to sharing my vision for Skyline in 2012-13 and beyond, and to building on this school’s strong community foundation.

Thank you for your ongoing support.
David