Principal-candidate interviews today, Thursday

Two candidates are interviewing this week for principal of Friday Harbor Elementary School. Today, the Search Committee is interviewing Anita Roth, principal intern and elementary literacy facilitator at McCarver Elementary School in the Tacoma School District. Thursday, the committee will interview Gary Pflueger, principal of Salmon Middle School in Salmon, Idaho.

Two candidates are interviewing this week for principal of Friday Harbor Elementary School.

Today, the Search Committee is interviewing Anita Roth, principal intern and elementary literacy facilitator at McCarver Elementary School in the Tacoma School District.

Roth has a master’s degree in education and education leadership from City University. From 1985 to 2001, she was an elementary school special education teacher in Snoqualmie and Tacoma. From 2001-03, she was instructional facilitator at Mann Elementary School in Tacoma. From 2003-08, she was literacy facilitator for Tacoma Public Schools. She is currently a principal intern at McCarver Elementary.

Part of the interview process includes a parent meeting at 3:45–4:30 p.m. in the elementary school library. Islanders can meet and talk with Roth. She will make introductory remarks and then be open to questions. Islanders can also provide written comments and feedback about Roth to the committee.

Thursday, the committee will interview Gary Pflueger, principal of Salmon Middle School in Salmon, Idaho.

Pflueger has a master’s degree in education and education administration from the University of Idaho. From 1982-88, he was a teacher at Alternative 5-8 School in Pocatello, Idaho. From 1987 to 1995, he was principal of St. Anthony Elementary School in Pocatello. From 1995 to 2003, he was principal of Brooklyn Elementary School in Salmon, Idaho. He has been principal of Salmon Middle School since 2003.

A parent meeting will be held at 3:45–4:30 p.m. in the elementary school library. Islanders can meet and talk with Pflueger. He will make introductory remarks and then be open to questions. Islanders can also provide written comments and feedback about Pflueger to the committee.

The Search Committee is comprised of Rob Cuomo, parent; Deslie English, primary teacher; Shannon Evans, primary teacher; Gail Leschine, counselor; David McCauley, board member; Kim Ott, parent; Marty Robinson, elementary school office manager; Marie Rothlisberger, district office; Carole Sjoholm, intermediate teacher; Michael Soltman, superintendent; Ann Spratt, middle school principal; Niki Truesdale, paraeducator; Kim Wickman, parent; Shannon Wilson, parent.

The Search Committee originally received applications from 14 candidates. The position pays between $84,000 to $87,759 a year.

Roth or Pflueger will succeed Jody Metzger, who resigned to pursue possible job opportunities in Kent. The longtime San Juan Island educator, who was recently divorced, said in a letter to parents dated April 14 that she had surveyed her “career options, financial picture and social possibilities” and determined it was time for her to move to a larger area.