EV High School principal begins work this month

A new principal has taken the helm at East Valley High School.

Dorthea "Dottie" Say of Umatilla, Ore., starts work this month, heading up the ninth- through 12th-grade school.

East Valley School Board President Jim Penning said the board confirmed the decision at a meeting Wednesday.

For the past two years, Say has worked as an instructional improvement facilitator for Washington state. In that role, she did consulting work for the Grandview School District, helping with the School Improvement Plan.

Prior to that, she was a high school principal in Hillsboro, Ore., for five years. Before serving in Hillsboro, she was principal of Bend Senior High School in Bend, Ore., for about five years.

Say is known for her emphasis on instructional improvement and academic success, according to East Valley Superintendent John Schieche.

"We were impressed with her philosophy about helping all students achieve as well as her relentless focus on school improvement," Schieche said.

Say was chosen from 15 candidates.

"She rose right to the top," Schieche said. "She's a strong leader and a real team player. We're very impressed with her."

Say replaces Mark Hummel, who headed the school for nine years before being hired as principal of Robertson Elementary School in the Yakima School District beginning in the fall.

East Valley High School has an enrollment of 850, with 40 teachers.