Pelham board continues search for Siwanoy principal; interim leadership likely

The Pelham Union Free School District Board of Education on Aug. 7 said its search for a new principal at Siwanoy Elementary School is ongoing and that no candidate from the most recent hiring round advanced to the board for final consideration.

Board President said the district completed one round of the hiring process and will continue recruiting. "The search for the new Saimanor principal is ongoing," the Board President said. The district expects to begin the school year with an interim principal while the search continues.

A leadership profile used to shape the job description was developed with community input through surveys and focus groups, the board said. Both a community committee and an administrative committee participated in interviews. Candidates who receive support from both groups and meet other criteria may move to a demonstration task and then to final interviews with Dr. Champ and the board.

"In this round, no candidates were advanced to the board for consideration," the Board President said, thanking community members who participated in the process.

Board members emphasized that filling the role is a high priority but said it is more important to find the right person. The board noted the district will provide updates as the process progresses and that community involvement informed the leadership profile used in screening applicants.

The meeting did not include a vote on the Siwanoy principal; discussion remained at the staffing-and-search level. The board also noted that the interim principal expected to begin the year could be Mrs. Kramer Gilbert, though the board said that status had not been finalized at the meeting.

Looking ahead, the board said it will continue recruitment and screening activities and will bring any finalists forward in accordance with the district's hiring process.