After four years as an assistant principal at Homestead, Ms. Lori Keiser completed her last day last Friday, Nov. 13. In an email to Homestead faculty, Ms. Keiser wrote, “I have come to realize that it is time for me to pursue other opportunities. This is a choice that has been very difficult to say the least, but necessary for my personal well being. I will be taking some time over the next month or so to figure out what will truly bring me peace and happiness.”

Currently in search for a replacement, Mr. Bowers and Mr. Chris Grey, assistant principal, have divided the work of three people between themselves. “There’s a fair amount of things going on there that we’ve been divvying up and taking responsibility for,” Mr. Bowers said. “Ms. Keiser did a really good job of laying out the things that she was in the middle of before she left…. He and I both know what goes on around here and what needs to be done so it’s just a matter of shifting responsibilities.”

Mr. Bowers is currently reviewing applications, and as shortly after Nov. 23 as possible, he will bring in viable applicants for the interview process. Although application review is posted to officially begin on that date, he has been reviewing applications as he receives them. “I’m actually really, at this point, pleased with the candidate pool,” Mr. Bowers said. “I think we have some really viable candidates who have strong teacher leadership experience and/or people who are currently serving as assistant principals in other districts, so I’m feeling cautiously optimistic.”

The new assistant principal, however, will not participate in this year’s in-class teacher evaluations that occur twice per year for most teachers. According to Mr. Bowers, the evaluation process is meticulously calibrated among the principals to ensure consistency. According to Mr. Bowers, “Regardless of who we hire and regardless of how qualified that person may be, since he or she will be jumping in midstream,” the new assistant principal will not begin evaluating teachers until next year. Because of this, Mr. Bowers has reduced the number of required teacher evaluations to one per year, which meets the District’s expectation.  

With the application process moving as quickly as possible, Mr. Bowers anticipates that by the end of winter break, Homestead will have a new assistant principal. “That would be my hope–we come back into 2016 with an assistant principal in place and we’re back to full speed in terms of our administrative team,” Mr. Bowers said.