Hundreds of people have already checked out the online job posting for Mount Si High School’s principal.

The search for a principal to replace retiring Randy Taylor, which commenced last week, will include input from students, parents, school staff and the general community.

School Curriculum Director Don McConkey updated the Snoqualmie Valley School District Board on the process at its March 24 meeting. For the search, he is creating a profile for the next principal, based on feedback from students, staff and parents. A Web survey was also used to gather community input on the issue.

McConkey said that the student interviews were “spectacular,” and about 600 people viewed the online survey. About 300 people submitted responses, and a little over half were parents of students at Mount Si. Northwest Leadership Association, a recruiting firm the district hired to help narrow the list of applicants, will use the profile to actively recruit candidates, McConkey said.

McConkey also said the position was posted online March 23 and within 24 hours, it had been viewed 300 times, and seven applicants had already requested paperwork.

The posting closes April 25, and applicants will be screened through April 29. Two rounds of interviews are scheduled for May 2-6, and 9-13, and staff will also visit the finalists’ schools to interview their staff and communities. From May 23-25, candidates will meet with the school board, and McConkey expected a selection announcement from Superintendent Joel Aune by May 26.

Candidates of color?

Following McConkey’s report, a parent in the audience, Pastor Ken Hutcherson, asked “Why is it that everyone who’s hired, over and over again, has no color, in the aspect of African-Americans?”

He added that he and his four children had been in the district 17 years and “My kids have never seen an African-American teacher or administrator in their lifetimes.”

A teacher in the audience noted that the district has several self-identified teachers of color, and offered to present the report.

Board President Dan Popp agreed with Hutcherson that a candidate’s ethnicity should be considered in the process, and told Hutcherson, “I will gladly join you in that conversation.

Principal Randy Taylor announced March 16 that he would retire June 30. The new principal will start at Mount Si July 1.