By Ari Howorth
Staff Writer
Mira Costa is currently in the process of selecting a replacement for Vice Principal Paula Hart, who is leaving her position to teach biology at Costa starting next school year.
The position is advertised on the Costa website, and applications were available until today. The applicants will go through multiple rounds of interviews and paper screenings. The first round of interviews will be conducted by a panel of teachers, students and administrators.
“There might be a third round of interviews where they meet with just me,” Principal Ben Dale said. “If it is clear after the second interview that we have the right person, we won’t need a third.”
Once a new vice principal is selected, he or she will begin work in June and work through the summer and school year.
“Working that summer gives someone an opportunity to get their bearings set before the craziness of the new school year begins,” Vice Principal Jennie Wright said.
Hart, thus far, has not been asked to be a part of the panels that will be conducting the interviews. Despite not being included in the panel, Hart feels there are key qualities that a vice principal must have.
“I hope that the person chosen has significant experience in a community,” Hart said. “They need to understand the over-performing student as well as the active parent.”
Dale doesn’t have specific applicants in mind yet, but knows what he’s looking for.
“I don’t like to look at my cards until they are dealt,” Dale said. “I do know that I’m looking for an experienced educator who is student-centered and cares about a vibrant learning environment.”
Hart has been vice principal of Mira Costa since 2008 and has taken on the positions of athletic director and construction manager.
“What I am going to miss most is the relationship I developed with the athletes, coaches and construction team,” Hart said.
By the end of the school year, the Costa administration hopes to have chosen a replacement so the new vice principal can begin work this summer.
“I want the person picked to be a team player,” Wright said. “They need to understand what we accomplish as a school and be passionate about kids.”
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