Now that the Churchill County School District has officially gone to grade-level schools, the shifting of principals has begun.
Superintendent Dr. Sandra Sheldon said for the most part the principals have remained the same, with a few minor switches.
“We believe that where the principals are now is the right placing for them,” she said.
Northside Early Learning Center will be Pre-K with no principal. Will Jensen, director of Special Services, will be working between his district office and NELC while also working at the other district schools.
Gregg Malkovich, who was the principal at NELC, will have the same position at Lahontan Elementary School, kindergarten and first grade; Keith Boone will remain principal of E. C. Best Elementary School, second and third grade; and Shawn Purrell, Numa Elementary School, fourth and fifth grade.
“Because Gregg was the prior principal at Northside, it seemed fitting to keep him with the younger students since he does so well with them,” Sheldon said.
Scott Meihack’s retirement as principal of Churchill County Middle School left his position open. Sheldon said the district had several individuals apply for the position, but Amy Weldon, vice principal at the high school, was the one who stood out to the committee interviewing candidates.
“Myself and staff from the middle school made up the committee,” she said. “We looked at a list of criteria the principal needed to meet and felt Amy met those qualities and we thought she would thrive as principal at the middle school.”
Sheldon said John Johnson remains vice principal of the middle school. She said Kevin Lords stays as principal of Churchill County High School with Rob Freeman and Mike Hogan, previously the principal at Lahontan, as his vice principals.
Trustees decided in February on grade-level schooling due to the $2.3 million deficit the district was facing. In addition to the grade-level schools the decision also included reducing one school administration level, all specials (art, music, etc.) would be cut and only third, fourth and fifth grades would have technology classes. The savings were estimated at $1,101,425.
“I believe going to grade-level schools will allow for consistent curriculum across all of the grades,” she said. “This setup allows teachers to work together and collaborate without having to travel to another school.”
Sheldon said giving teachers an easy way to collaborate not only benefits the teachers but also the students. She added the students would now be able to bond with other pupils who will most likely graduate with them.
“We’re hoping that having the students with other students the same age will cut down on bullying and discipline issues,” she said. “We are hoping for a positive result for everyone involved in this change.”
Sheldon said concerns have arisen from parents about picking their children up at different schools, but she assures a solution to help with the shuffling has been found. That information, according to Sheldon, will be provided when the school district release its back-to-school schedule at the end of the month.