Roy Getchell, most recently an elementary school principal in Avon, Colo., will be Haines’ new superintendent. He accepted a job offer from the school board Wednesday.
Getchell was the Haines school board‘s only finalist for the job after the other finalist dropped out of the race last week. He will be the school’s third permanent superintendent in three years.
Getchell came to Haines Tuesday to tour the school and town, meet with students and the school board, and answer questions at a community meet and greet. About 30 Haines residents, staff and students turned out for the event.
Getchell said he has had his eye on Haines for more than 27 years.
“I’ll stay as long as you’ll have me. I’ve targeted this place. I’ve worked too hard,” Getchell said in response to a question about stability in the leadership role. Getchell said he became interested in Alaska when an elementary school teacher showed the class photos of an Alaskan vacation. He said he wanted to move here ever since.
“This is the top of my career ladder. My intention would be to stay here for a very long time…I would give you my word to be here.”
Getchell has a doctorate in educational administration and policy studies from the University of Denver. He has worked as principal at Avon Elementary School for the last four years, and previously worked as a campus director and principal at a school in Abu Dhabi for five years. He also worked as a teacher and counselor at schools in Colorado and Missouri.
school board president Anne Marie Palmieri said Getchell is a good match for the district. “I loved what he said about educating the whole child, and how student success is not just academic, it has to do with how success is defined by each individual student.”
Getchell said in his interview he doesn’t believe student success should be measured by test scores alone, but students should be well-rounded.
“I think that’s the philosophy of our school and we found a superintendent that shares that philosophy,” Palmieri said.
After the final interview Wednesday, the school board unanimously voted to offer Getchell the job.
“I’m excited we’re offering the job to Roy,” said new school board member Michael Wald. “He’s an enthusiastic and dedicated educator who has been studying and improving around the world.”
Palmieri said Getchell’s three-year contract includes a $115,000 first-year salary, with a 1 percent increase in years two and three contingent on a satisfactory evaluation. The salary is $2,000 more than what former superintendent Tony Habra was paid, and is the highest of any previous Haines superintendent. The district will also pay Getchell $10,000 in moving expenses.
Getchell is set to start work on July 1. He will move to Haines with his wife and two daughters, a seventh grader and a high school sophomore.
“I am very excited about working with him on a vision for our school,” Palmieri said. “I think that we will do great things in the district as a team with Roy at the helm.