Six candidates for Decatur High School principal position chosen

— The selection process for the next principal of Decatur High School has begun and six candidates have been chosen for further interviews.

The district began a search for a new high school principal after Bobby King submitted a letter of resignation last month, effective June 30.

A total of 26 candidates applied for the position, according to superintendent Larry Ben. A committee of high school faculty and parents reviewed the applications on April 6 and selected six for further interviews, he said.

The candidates are -

◊Deborah Coffer of Dardanelle.

Current Position:Teacher, Dardanelle High School

Administrative experience: 0 years

Total experience: 11 years

◊Chad Harp of Gore, Okla.

Current Position: Assistant Principal, Shawnee High School, Shawnee, Okla.

Administrative experience: 7 years

Total experience: 18 years

◊Randall Houk of Cuba, N.M.

Current position: High School Principal, Cuba Schools

Administrative experience: 25 years

Total experience: 30 years

◊Douglas Lawyer of Rogers

Current position:Teacher, Rogers Alternative School

Administrative experience: 9 years

Total experience: 23 years

◊Rick McCullough of Jay, Okla.

Current position: Teacher, Jay High School

Administrative experience: 12 years

Total experience: 26 years

◊Eugene (Dale) Stokes of Springdale

Current position: Principal, Elkins High School

Administrative experience: 8 years

Total experience: 26 years

Ben said he would be calling the applicants’ references and doing some investigative work this week.

“I think we have a good pool to choose from,” he said, pointing out there are three local candidates and three out-of-state candidates.

The six candidates will be interviewed on April 14, first by a building-level team, consisting of teachers, parents and students, and then by a districtlevel team consisting of administrators, directors, a board member and the superintendent, according to a document explaining the selection process.

The school board will meet for a brief executive session to discuss the negotiation of contracts at 4:30, on April 14, but no action will be taken, Ben said. The finalists will be presented to the school board for approval on April 16.

News, Pages 3 on 04/11/2012