Principal interviews to begin

New elementary leader should be in place before end of semester

The first two weeks of May will be crunch time in regard to the hiring of a new principal at Ozaukee Elementary School.

That is when internal interviews will take place, Northern Ozaukee School District Supt. David Karrels said, via a team whose makeup will be a combination of administrators and teachers.

Karrels will then make a recommendation for hire to the Northern Ozaukee School Board for approval, with the goal being that a new principal be in place prior to the end of the school year. 

Karrels said he had plans to offer opportunities for community interaction with the new principal around that time.

The position opening was posted on the Wisconsin Education Career Access Network website shortly after the March 27 School Board meeting when board members accepted the retirement of longtime principal Cynthia Dallman.

“We’ve had an excellent response in the number of applicants and the quality of them,” Karrels said of early returns, although he declined to divulge a number. 

He feels the position, which belonged to Dallman the past 24 years, is a desirable one.

“We have a family atmosphere where both parents and staff are highly engaged,” Karrels said. “It is a unique setting — a small school where everyone cares and knows every kid by name.

“It’s a great spot for our next leader.” 

 The week of April 17 through 21 was spent accumulating hiring-process feedback from the elementary school staff, with a review of applications occurring this week.

Cherie Crass, president of the elementary school’s parent-teacher resource (PTR) group, thanked Dallman for her years of support and collaboration. She expects the same from the new hire.

“It is our hope that the new principal will be involved in the PTR’s efforts to support the schools in our district,” Crass said.