Seven educators, including two locals, have submitted applications for the Haines School principal position. Interviews are this week with a short list expected by Friday.

Haines Borough School District teacher Lily Boron and dean of students Kim Sundberg are among the applicants.

Boron has taught in the school district for 21 years and is currently teaching secondary social studies, Spanish, cooking, and serving as an administrative intern. Sundberg taught for four years before the district hired her in 2018 as dean of students.

Additional applicants include Miranda Macha who is the principal and teacher in Aleknagik. Paul Gilbert is a principal in Akiachak. Drew Larrabee is the career and technical education director in Wrangell. Alaska Otterbacher is working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and as a public speaker. Gale Pratt is the director of special education in Fort Yukon.

Haines superintendent Roy Getchell said the hiring committee is currently narrowing down the field and will announce a short list by Friday, March 13. Getchell said students, staff and residents were surveyed about what they want in a new principal. He said responses garnered 75 data points.

“I did three focus groups to look for specific things we need right now and to get specie information to help us make an unbiased decision,” Getchell said.

He said responses were “remarkably consistent” about what was wanted in a new principal. Those responses will help form questions which will be considered during upcoming interviews, Getchell said.

The hiring committee consists of Getchell, school board members Anne Marie Palmieri and Shelly Sloper, teachers Mark Fontenot and Fran Daly, classified staff members Denise Sherman and Margaret McLaughlin, parents Melissa Ganey and Lynette Hart and student representative Lydia Andriesen.

The position was advertised beginning Feb. 7. The committee will conduct interviews on Thursday, March 12 when further reference checks will be completed if necessary. The district will then make an offer to the desired candidate and the committee is scheduled to make a recommendation for hire to the school board by April 7.

Outgoing principal Rene Martin submitted her letter of resignation last month effective June 8.