College Place Public Schools has found a leader for the staff and students of Sager Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year. Retired Touchet School District Susan Bell has accepted an offer to serve as the Interim Principal for the year. Bell, previously served in Touchet from 2011-2019 and was a longtime Assistant Superintendent, Middle School Principal, and teacher before her time there. After a short, but thorough search, the board of directors elected to hire Mrs. Bell who lives just down the street from the middle school.
"I am so grateful for this opportunity to support the great students and staff at John Sager Middle School and to support the great teaching and learning that goes on there. I am looking forward to the start of the new year and being a part of the College Place Public Schools community,” Bell stated in a district email to Sager staff members today.
College Place Public School Board Chair Mandy Thompson stated, “We are pleased to have a person of Susan’s qualifications and experience step in to serve in this role for us this year. Having had the opportunity to work with Susan in the past, I know our school is in very capable hands during this time of transition.”
College Place Public Schools Superintendent Jim Fry pointed out the various factors that led the district to this conclusion. “The late departure of our former principal created really difficult timing for finding a replacement. While we posted the position for a short time, the position did not garner the kind of interest it would with a January or February posting. We don’t want to rush the process due the lateness of the opening and instead will be able to slow it down and ensure we do our due diligence to get the best fit for our community, our district, and Sager,” Fry stated
Mrs. Bell will fill the position for the school year, but will not be able to apply for the position once it opens in order to encourage external applicants to apply. The district plans to engage the community, staff, and students in further input opportunities before opening the position posts in early 2023 for a July 1, 2023 start date. Candidates interested in the future position should feel free to contact Superintendent Jim Fry.