The Search Begins for New St. Cloud Principal

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony Cavanna addressed a room of approximately 40 parents Thursday night, detailing the selection process for St. Cloud Elementary School’s new principal.

With the position advertised, the district has already received about 100 applications which they will start to review this week. As superintendent, Cavanna will select the members of the ad hoc Board of Education Principal Selection Committee. The district’s human resource department will narrow down the applications to and recommend a handful of candidates for committee interviews.

"The committee is charged with advising the superintendent that the candidate meets the qualifications we are talking about," Cavanna said. He went on add, "the committee usually presents four to six candidates to me and the board will see two to three of those candidates. Then I make my recommendation to the board." The board will then vote to approve the candidate for the position.

Though the committee is still being formed, it will be comprised of administrators, three St. Cloud Parents (two general and one with a special needs child) and three teachers. Cavanna expects to have the committee’s first meeting in the next week or so.

Cavanna said Geher’s last day will be either Oct. 3 or 4. "We probably won’t have the new principal by then," he said. He said an interim principal will be chosen who is "familiar with the school or district and who has a supervisory certificate." The interim principal, he added, is usually not a candidate for the job.

As to when the new principal would be selected, Cavanna speculated by the end of November, but depending on their current employment situation he or she might not be able to start until the end of January.

He concluded by telling the audience, "your job is to tell us the characteristics you would like for a principal. My job is to make a recommendation to the Board of Education." Then he turned the microphone over to district human resource director Frances Neceskas to gather parent input as to the qualities they want to see in the new hire.

Inclusiveness, interpersonal skills and maintaining the high level of scholastic success were the dominant themes parents wanted to see in Geher’s successor.

Madelyn McClammy, parent of a St. Cloud first grader, expressed wanting "a true open door policy, not only on paper but in spirit." Amy Soroko, mom to second grade twins, one of which has special needs, likes that Geher is "always available and sensitive to children who need a little more care."

Speaking to the community qualities they want to maintain, St.Cloud parent and staff member Liz Hughes said Geher "treats staff and students like family. He motivates and brings everyone together."

PTA President, Jill First, wants to see that connectedness continue with partnerships with parents, teachers and the PTA. First also wants to see the new principal "embrace the technology portion such as our webpage, Facebook page and Twitter."

Parent Joe Sorbino, summed up his thoughts concisely with one word "coach."

Board of Education President Laura Lab closed the meeting, "This selection process is very important to the board." Lab and board member Megan Brill both had children who attended St. Cloud. She went on to say, "We know each school has its own climate. As two former St. Cloud parents  — we’ve got your back."

Thoughts as to the selection criteria can be emailed to principalsearch@woboe.org. The board’s website will also have a button for criteria suggestions.