At their June 7 work session, the Mineola Board of Education voted to conduct a full open search to replace thigh school principal Jay Lewis, who will be leaving on June 30. The board has appointed longtime assistant principal Michael Terc as interim principal to work with the three assistant principals to ensure a successful high school opening in September.

According to Dr. Harry Jaroslaw, superintendent of schools, the process for selecting the new principal is the same as the process used to select the superintendent and other administrative positions.

Dr. Jaroslaw stated, "The process includes a representation from the different constituents of the school district community: a citizens group consisting of parents and community members, a teacher and staff member group, an administrator group and a group comprised of the central office administration."

According to Dr. Jaroslaw, the district is reaching out to the community for volunteers for the citizens group interview committee. "We would like a pool of interested parents and community members from which to choose a citizens/community interview team for this important position. A student representative will also be included in this group."

The interview process involves a time commitment including a one-hour meeting to discuss how to conduct the interview and about one hour per candidate for the actual interview. This can involve, depending on the number of candidates, a two to four days time commitment. After all groups interview, they submit their recommendations to the superintendent. Following a reference check and other background research, the superintendent then presents a final slate of candidates for the board to interview. Based on the recommendations of the superintendent, the board then votes to accept a candidate.

Those citizens interested in being involved in this process should call the superintendent's office at 741-5036. These names will be forwarded to the High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA), which is charged with organizing the citizen/community interview team.