Friday, January 21, 2005

Warren County Schools is on the hunt for a new principal for Lighthouse Academy, the districts alternative school that gives a second chance to students who need one.

Mark Williams, Lighthouses head teacher, will apply for that position. Williams performs several duties similar to those of the principal in his current capacity, but he just finished his principal certification in December and is now eligible for the job.

Ill probably make that decision by mid-March, Warren County Superintendent Dale Brown said.

Stan Peterie, Warren County Schools district assessment coordinator, acts as principal of record for Lighthouse, meaning that he is technically the principal, but does not show up at the school every day. Peterie has been principal of record since Lighthouses inception in 2001.

Williams said he has received several phone calls from surprised parents who saw an ad for the open principal position and figured Williams was leaving.

If all the interviews go well, hopefully I wont be going anywhere, Williams said. But I appreciate the concern.

If hired as principal, Williams day-to-day duties would not change much; he said the biggest change would be in his responsibility to make sure teachers are teaching the right things.

Most of the time, itll be just like being head teacher, Williams said. Id continue to do the things (Peterie) would have done if he were here all the time.

Applications for the Lighthouse principal job are available at Warren County Schools central office on Lovers Lane. Applications must be received by Feb. 13.

Unlike other Kentucky public schools, Lighthouse has no site-based decision-making council to have the final say in hiring a principal. Brown will make the final decision sometime in February, he said.

We are looking for a qualified administrator who is able to make connections with students and has an understanding of the alternative model, Brown said.

Students who attend Lighthouse have been recommended by a teacher or counselor at one of Warren Countys three high schools. By letting students work at their own pace, the school has graduated more than 100 students who were once at risk of dropping out.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700