Selah schools superintendent resigns

SELAH, Wash. -- The Selah school board announced Wednesday that Superintendent Debra Howard has resigned, effective June 30.

“We mutually agreed it was in the best interest for both to move forward in this direction,” said Todd Trepanier, school board president. “We are seeking another direction that would be beneficial for our objectives to improve the school system.”

Howard was hired a year ago from the East Valley School District in Spokane, where she served as interim superintendent. She will receive a year of compensation, as provided in her contract.

Howard said the decision to leave was the right one for her and the district. Now she can live with her husband, who was unable to find a job in Selah, and spend time with her aging mother. Both live in Spokane.

Howard added that she has no sore feelings with the school district or its staff.

“There’s a lot of good work that’s been started in the community, and the work just needs to continue,” she said. “I’m really at peace with the decision.”

Neither Trepanier nor Howard could give specifics on the compensation package, as they did not have the contract before them. She had replaced Larry Parsons, who was paid an annual salary of $122,008.

The resignation marks the latest in a string of upsets in recent weeks. It began in March, when Selah High School Principal Joe Jones announced his resignation, effective in June. He did so because Howard told him she no longer envisioned him in the role as principal.

Several hundred community members and students — who believed Jones was forced to resign — protested the decision at school board meetings in March, when Selah High School Principal Joe Jones announced his resignation, effective in June. He did so because Howard told him she no longer envisioned him in the role of principal.

Jones rescinded his letter of resignation in April and announced earlier this month that he will return as high school principal next fall.

Sophomore Brandon Riddle had presented the school board with petitions totaling more than 1,100 signatures in support of Jones earlier this spring. He said he’s surprised by Howard’s decision to leave.

“Our goal was not to have her resign. Our goal was to keep Mr. Jones as our principal,” he said. “It’s a decision that she made, and if that works out for her, that’s fine.”

Jones could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

Trepanier said Howard’s resignation was not directly related to the situation with Jones. He added that he was impressed with her knowledge of the public school system and with her service to the district.

The school board will begin work immediately to identify and appoint an interim superintendent for the 2009-2010 school year, Trepanier said. In the fall, the board will announce its plans for selecting the school district’s next superintendent.

Trepanier admitted some people were upset with Howard over Jones’ intentions to quit, but added the outcry “did not necessarily” lead to her resignation.

“It’s the school board’s desire to look at everything and analyze the best way to move forward,” he said. “We feel very positive about the Selah School District, and feel that where it’s at and where it’s going makes it the best place to be in the Valley.”

Last week, students in the senior class requested that Howard not give the keynote speech and that school board members not hand out diplomas at the June 6 graduation.

About 175 seniors — out of a potential 210 to 230 graduating students — signed a letter addressed to the school board seeking changes to this year’s graduation ceremony, saying that students wanted the focus to be on celebrating rather than on any school controversy.
About 760 students attend the high school, which covers grades 10-12. Overall, the district has 3,500 students.

• Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.

Timeline

May 22, 2008: The Selah school board extends an offer to make Debra Howard its next superintendent. She replaces Larry Parsons, who was paid an annual salary of $122,008.

Early March 2009: Howard informs Selah High principal Joe Jones during a mid-year evaluation that he would not retain his position at the school for the 2009-10 school year.

March 24: Jones resigns, effective at the end of the school year.

March 26: Several hundred community members, including about 100 students, attend the Selah school board meeting after learning of Jones’ resignation. Howard recommended that the board not vote on whether to accept Jones’ resignation. The issue was tabled until the April 9 school board meeting.

March 27: More than 200 Selah High students protest in support of Jones, marching to the district office after school.

April 7: Howard says that Jones had been given the opportunity to withdraw his resignation but “he is confident in remaining with his decision.”

April 8: Jones announces he is rescinding his letter of resignation.

April 9: Nearly 500 people, including about 125 students, pack the school board meeting to voice their support for Jones. The meeting was held at the Selah Civic Center to accomodate the large crowd.

May 4: Selah High School students deliver a letter to the district office asking that Howard not speak at their graduation ceremony. The letter, signed by about 175 of the 230 graduating seniors, also asked that school board members not hand out diplomas at the ceremony.

May 6: Jones announces he will return as principal at Selah High School in the fall.

May 13: The Selah School District announces that the district and Howard have reached an agreement on the superintendent’s resignation, effective June 30.