By James Lomuscio
Who will replace John Dodig, the popular Staples High School principal retiring after 14 years in June?
Parents of eighth through twelfth graders will have the chance to participate in that decision as they take part next week in a focus group interviewing two finalists for the job.
There will be two meetings, one for each candidate. The first will be held Monday, March 9, at 9 a.m. in the Staples cafeteria , and the second is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, same time, same place, according to Michael Gordon, school board chairman.
The search committee, comprising administrators, teachers, parents and students will then use the parent input, presenting it to the Board of Education for its final decision, Gordon said.
“We’re hopeful the board will agree with my recommendation, which I will put together in consultation with the committee to choose the next leader of Staples High School for years to come,” said Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon.
According to Landon, a nationwide search for Dodig’s replacement began in December, with advertisements in national press and educational leadership journals.
The position offers an annual salary of about $180,000, Landon said.
“Our director of human resources, Marge Cion, and I screened every single applicant that came in,” Landon said. “We interviewed a dozen people and reduced the field to six candidates.”
Those six candidates were interviewed by the committee, three candidates each day, Feb. 12 and 13 before narrowing the field down to the final two, Landon said.
