Search panel forming for new HRHS principal

By OWEN BOSS

Staff Writer

WESTHAMPTON - For the next two weeks, the Hampshire Regional School District will accept applications from area residents interested in joining a search committee for Hampshire Regional High School's next principal.

Superintendent Craig Jurgensen said School Committee members are looking for a local resident or the parent of a local student to join the committee, which will be tasked with reviewing applications, interviewing candidates and narrowing down the field of finalists for the position.

"I think that the last time they hired a principal there were about 16 people on the search committee, and that is about where I'd like us to be this time around," Jurgensen said. "Right now we're reaching out to area residents so that we can make a list and then select from that list a person who is really sure that they want to make a commitment to this search."

The search panel is expected to consist of delegates representing employees, school groups and various community residents who have an interest in the school's future leadership.

Candidates for the committee, Jurgensen said, must be available for up to 40 hours of afternoon or evening meetings and interviews, beginning in mid-January and lasting through final public interviews of finalists in late March.

"I'm hoping that we will have a recommendation ready in time for the School Committee's first meeting in April," Jurgensen said.

Anyone with questions about the Search Committee is asked to call Jurgensen at 527-7200. If interested, residents should send a written note to his office, located at 19 Stage Road, Westhampton, 01027-9655, by Jan. 14, 2011.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.