Selah expected to accept high school principal's resignation

It promises to be standing room only at the Selah School Board meeting Thursday evening.

But the crowd may be in for a disappointment.

That's because the board is expected to accept the resignation of Principal Joe Jones.

Jones, who has been at the helm of the high school for the past three years, tendered his resignation a little more than two weeks ago, effective in June.

On Tuesday, School Board President Todd Trepanier said that Jones told him he wants the school board to accept his resignation.

"Joe told me specifically that he wishes to resign and wants to move on to other opportunities," Trepanier said.

Superintendent Debra Howard explained that Jones had been given the opportunity to withdraw his resignation but "he is confident in remaining with his decision."

Jones, 37, had previously said his resignation was from his position as high school principal. It is unclear whether the resignation being considered was from the school itself or from the district as a whole.

"I respect and honor his decision and wish him well," Howard said.

Phone messages left for Jones on Tuesday were not returned.

The large crowd expected at Thursday's meeting may not take kindly to the resignation being finalized. Students and teachers, as well as townspeople, have been galvanized for two weeks over the possibility that Jones may leave the district.

Several hundred people crammed into the last regularly scheduled board meeting March 26 to protest Jones's resignation. For nearly two hours, community members, teachers and students addressed board members to describe their esteem for Jones.

Several people at that meeting intimated that Jones was being driven out of the district because he and Howard, who is in her first year as superintendent, were at odds. They asked the board to postpone action on the letter in hopes that Jones would withdraw it and remain at the high school.

But, according to Trepanier, that hasn't happened.

"Joe told me specifically that this is what he wishes. He says he's telling anyone who talks to him that he hopes they will accept his wishes to resign."

Jones's resignation letter is slated for action at Thursday night's meeting, which will be held at the Selah Civic Center because of the large crowd anticipated. There is expected to be a joint announcement by Jones and Howard this afternoon. That comes on the heels of a Tuesday night school board meeting that was held in executive session. It was unclear whether the special session was related to Jones.

Trepanier said it was a personnel issue and couldn't legally say anything further.

Acknowledging that Jones is a popular employee in the district, Trepanier said, "It's awesome there's so much support for him. It's hard to lose him."

Trepanier said he believes that Jones wouldn't want a big outcry at Thursday's meeting. "He doesn't wish to hurt the community. He wants the community left healthy in this."

But student leader Brandon Riddle said that feelings among the student body remain strong, with most hoping that the school board rejects Jones's resignation.

More than 200 students marched from the high school to the district office about 10 days ago to plead their case to keep Jones as principal.

Riddle expects that more than 100 students will attend Thursday's board meeting, armed with petitions signed by more than 600 people seeking Jones's reinstatement.

"If they (board members) accept his resignation, it will fire this town up. We're not gone," Riddle promised.

Trepanier said that the superintendent is moving the district in the direction the school board has asked. Howard said Tuesday she would like to see WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) scores, especially math, improve at the high school.

About 760 students attend the high school, which covers grades 10-12. Overall, the district has 3,500 students.

WHAT: Selah School Board meeting

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St.