Homewood School District 153 board members were told Monday that the list of finalists for the principal’s position at James Hart School in Homewood has been whittled down to 11 from an initial pool of 47 applicants.
Homewood School District 153 board members were told Monday that the list of finalists for the principal’s position at James Hart School in Homewood has been whittled down to 11 from an initial pool of 47 applicants.
The board is looking for a new principal because its current principal, Scott McAlister, is moving to the assistant superintendent position in the 2020-2021 year. It will serve as a year of training for McAlister for his next position, District 153 superintendent, following the retirement of Dale Mitchell in June 2021. He has been superintendent since 2004.
Mitchell said the Hart principal candidates pool was qualified and diverse. The opening list was reduced to 27 applicants who were given the chance to answer three questions via video links.
Mitchell said sending questions for video responses is becoming a popular way to do initial interviews. He suggested junior high and high school students get the chance to practice video responses as another step in improving interviewing skills.
There were 22 candidates who gave video responses that were assessed by Mitchell, McAlister and Laura Ugo, assistant principal. When the three reviewed their individual scoring, they were all pretty much in agreement on who would be selected for the next round, the superintendent said.
The 11 top scorers will be on campus this week interviewing with Mitchell, McAlister and staff. After that round, Mitchell expects the pool will be narrowed again to a select few who will meet with board members, staff, parents and students.
The next Hart School principal will be announced at the February board meeting.