Blue Mountain just ended the process of hiring a new principal. OESU Superintendent Heather Lawler shared, “Following a highly competitive search process, we have officially secured Leigh Guenther as the next BMU Middle & High School Principal.”
The process of hiring a principal is relatively complex. First, a committee needs to be put together to ensure that the district hires the best candidate possible. This committee consists of principals, high school and middle school teachers, special educators, board members, and students.
When asked about what traits the hiring committee was looking for, OESU’s Assistant Director of Student Services, Tracy Emerson, highlighted the following characteristics: “communication, collaboration, community engagement, student focus, and curriculum.” In hopes of finding someone who met these requirements, the committee originally reviewed multiple applicants and held several rounds of interviews until they reached two finalists. These candidates were brought into the school and were interviewed by student panels, including high school and middle school student council members.
Unfortunately, the two finalists rescinded their applications after spending a day at BMU. When asked about why this happened, Lawher said, “I would have done [interviewed] them one at a time because if I had done that one at a time, I think we would have gotten a hire.”
BMU Elementary principal Scott Blood shared that “it was tough to interview candidates with a big committee, so he wanted to change the size of the committee, which went from 14 people to 10. He expressed, “It’s important that everyone on the hiring committee has an equal voice.”
With ACT 73 looming and school consolidations, does it have an impact on hiring? There were only 10 applicants, which raises concern about the future of small schools. However, many people love the k- 12 model, with its tight-knit community and deep impact on students. But with the future of the school up in the air, it makes it tough for someone out of state to move their family to a new state for a job when there is a real possibility that it will only exist for a few more years.
BMU’s current principal, Emilie Knisley, has been part of the Blue Mountain Community since 2005, having stints previously as a language arts teacher, a principal, and a superintendent. As of July 1st, she will become the new superintendent for the Barre Unified School District.
She will be replaced by Mr. Leigh Guenther, who is finishing up his 28th year in pubic education. Guenther moved into administration after ten years as a classroom teacher. Family is extremely important to him, and so is a sense of community. He is looking forward to getting to know everyone at BMU.
