Five in running for Highland superintendent job

COWICHE -- The search for a new Highland School District superintendent has been narrowed to five applicants, with interviews to take place next week.

The candidates are:

* Mark Anderson, superintendent of the Lone Rock School District in Stevensville, Mont.

* Matt Mallery, executive director for state and federal programs in the Grandview School District.

* Walt Wegener, student services coordinator for the Toppenish School District.

* Jane Westergaard-Nimocks, director of human resources and student services for Yelm Community Schools in Yelm, Wash.

* Rick Winters, superintendent of St. John-Endicott School Districts in Whitman County, Wash.

The Highland School District covers Naches Heights, Cowiche and Tieton. It has about 1,100 students from preschool through 12th grade in four schools.

Last fall, Superintendent Gary Masten opted to resign at the end of the 2008-09 school year. His annual salary is about $100,000.

Before coming to the Highland district about five years ago, Masten worked more than 25 years for the West Valley and Selah school districts. Last year, he won the Science Education Advocate Award for his work to reform science education.

Preliminary interviews with the five candidates will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the Highland High School classitorium.

Interviews with the final three candidates chosen will be held in a community forum, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 13 in the high school commons.

The school board plans to offer a contract to the new superintendent at its meeting April 21.

For more information, contact school board member Nikki Keller at 509-673-2585 or the district office at 509-678-4173.