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Superintendent announces Jefferson Elementary principal Timothy Ayers will retire in January; district outlines multi-step successor search
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Furnari announced the planned retirement of Jefferson Elementary principal Timothy Ayers effective Jan. 1, 2026, and described a layered search process that will include surveys, staff and parent meetings, screening and interviews with an anticipated board recommendation by November.
Dr. Furnari, superintendent of the Caldwell-West School District, announced at the Aug. 11 board meeting that Jefferson Elementary School Principal Timothy Ayers will retire effective Jan. 1, 2026, after 19 years with the district.
Dr. Furnari described Ayers as known for a student-centered approach and said the district will give him a formal send-off later in the year. The superintendent outlined a multi-step search process for Ayers’s successor: the district will solicit input from Jefferson staff, parents and fifth-grade students through a survey; hold in-person meetings (one with staff and one with parents) this fall; perform a paper screening of applicants including credential verification; hold first-round interviews with an interview committee that includes administration and staff; complete a second round of administrative interviews; and bring two to three finalists to the superintendent for final interviews. References will be checked as required.
Dr. Furnari said the district intends to recommend a successful candidate to the board no later than November so the new principal could begin duties when school reopens in January following the holiday break.
The superintendent also highlighted summer learning programs and supports during the same report: a summer "jump start" program began the day of the meeting to support summer learning, and the district’s extended school year program for students with special needs provided structured learning activities. Dr. Furnari also noted the district will implement an updated Chromebook guidance exhibit (R5516E) for middle and high school at the start of the 2025–26 school year.
