The Meeker School Board appointed district Superintendent Chris Selle as interim principal of Meeker Elementary School following the resignation of Andi Murphy at the Aug. 8 board meeting. In addition to serving as superintendent, Selle will take on the role of MES principal until a new person is hired. The board voted unanimously to appoint Selle, despite objections from MES second grade teacher Boadachia Nln who expressed interest in serving in the role instead. In a letter to the Board dated Aug. 2, 2022, Boadachia advocated for an interview process spearheaded by a “neutral party” due to “the conflict of interest of an employee serving on the interview committee.”
MSD Board members all shared concerns about Nln’s proposal, namely that doing it would require a sudden, emergency policy change, and that Nln is needed more in the classroom.
“I would tend to argue that the most important role a person could have within the district is in the classroom working with kids,” said school board member Dr. Bob Dorsett.
Nln insisted that she would have a “greater impact” as principal by advocating for teachers, but the board remained hesitant to her plan due to a lack of job-specific training and principal certification.
In other business, the board approved new staff and volunteer positions: Peter Doan (assistant high school football coach), Sean VonRoenn (seventh grade boys basketball coach), Molly Turner (seventh grade volleyball coach), Brogan Watson (volunteer assistant middle school volleyball coach), Janet Kendall (food service staff). They also accepted resignations for Debi Vicker (middle school math/science teacher), Christine Broxton (food service staff) and Andi Murphy (elementary principal).
STAFFING CHALLENGES
Superintendent Chris Selle opened a conversation about staffing due to the sudden changes, noting his priority is to develop an admin coverage schedule, since he plans to spend a significant amount of his time at the elementary school this year. He also said he’s working on a “task analysis” to help prioritize the most important functions of both the Principal and Superintendent jobs.
The board discussed the best strategy for pursuing a new principal, including considerations to pause active job searching until February/spring since according to Selle it may be difficult to find qualified candidates during the fall semester. Selle further expressed that he didn’t want to poach employees who were under contract, even if they had the desire to apply. “I’m not going to do to some other school district what other school district’s are doing to us,” he said.
Other hiring efforts are in process, including a search for a high school/middle school science teacher and ongoing interview to fill four open paralegal positions, and a food service position. Bus drivers are also in short supply according to Selle. “We’re still struggling,” he said, indicating potential impacts from lack of staff, which could include combining the Marvine Mesa and Little Beaver bus routes. He said the district was considering finding substitutes to avoid any big route changes, but noted the challenge of filling those roles following two retirements and a lack of applicants. He stated, however, that the district is ready to go for the year, “Kids are gonna be in classes in less than two weeks, we have plans in place to educate those kids, we’ll teach them, they will learn, despite our challenges.”
Next month the board will review and approve policy changes regarding student conduct, safety and others. The next board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 22, 2022.
By LUCAS TURNER | [email protected]om
