Four candidates are being considered for the job of principal at Gahanna Lincoln High School, including two current district employees.
The candidates are: Aaron Winner, principal at Gahanna Middle School West; Kevin Jakub, principal of Independence Middle School in Independence, Ohio; Garry E. Young III, principal of Encore Academy of Reynoldsburg High School; and Jessica N. Slocum, academic officer at Gahanna Lincoln High School.
Superintendent Steve Barrett said the finalists were scheduled to be interviewed June 18.
He said the district received 52 applications, although several had little or no administrative experience.
Barrett said six candidates were interviewed June 7, and two more were interviewed June 14.
He said the district hired Finding Leaders, based in Sagamore Hills, to help find candidates at a cost of $4,000.
"We are handling the rest of the process ourselves," Barrett said. "We will go through the process of interviewing and hope to make our decision as soon as possible."
He said teachers, parents, students and administrators are continuing to be part of the selection process.
The district met with high school teachers and staff June 4 to talk about what qualities they wanted in the next principal.
"We had a great discussion," Barrett said.
The district also surveyed parents, teachers and students to prioritize characteristics in order of importance regarding the next high school leader.
For instance, the survey asked to prioritize the importance of the new principal being accessible to students, parents and staff.
The district on May 23 announced Lincoln Principal Bobby Dodd was resigning to become the principal of William Mason High School near Cincinnati.
That high school's enrollment exceeds 3,300 students in grades 9-12, according to Niche.com, which provides analysis of K-12 schools throughout the United States.
Dodd said he would miss the students and staff at Gahanna Lincoln, and he has enjoyed being a part of its growth over the years.
"While it's difficult to leave a place as special as Gahanna Lincoln, my family and I are excited for the new opportunity at Mason High School," he said. "I want to thank everyone in the Gahanna community for their continued support over the years."
Dodd's resignation is effective July 31.
Barrett said he expects to have a new high school principal in place by the start of the 2018-19 academic year.
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