By Brenda Sexton
The Courier-Herald
It's official. The Enumclaw School Board hired David Dorn to replace Terry Parker as Enumclaw High School principal.
Dorn has earned a bachelor of arts, master's degree and doctorate. He is currently the principal at Kent-Meridian High School. He lives in Enumclaw and has a daughter attending EHS.
Dorn told the board it is fantastic to be a part of a system committed to excellence.
Prior to taking the Kent-Meridian post, he was principal at Nampa Senior High in Idaho from 1995 to 2000 and principal at Rattlesnake Middle School in Missoula, Mont., from 1993 to 1995. He was principal at Midway City Elementary School in Westminster, Calif., from 1992 to 1993, an intern with Billings Public Schools from 1991 to 1992, principal and special education director for the Columbia Falls School District in Montana from 1987 to 1990 and principal at Terry Elementary School in Terry, Mont., from 1985 to 1987.
He started his career as a special education and adult education teacher.
According to information from the school district, “David is an experienced educator who has background and experience in transforming a culturally diverse and underperforming high school. He would like the opportunity to apply those skills here in Enumclaw.”
He will begin July 1.
In other business, the board:
€ agreed to oppose, through a resolution, Valley Medical Center's proposed annexation.
The Renton-based Valley Medical Center recently made waves on the Enumclaw Plateau when its leaders decided place an issue that would expand its current taxation district on the May ballot. The proposed expansion area includes a large chunk of Enumclaw's Wabash and Veazie areas, along with Black Diamond.
Board president Lorianne Taff and board member Nancy Merrill said Valley Medical's proposed annexation - and the 59 cent per $1,000 tax rate that goes with it - is not in the best interest of the school district's residents.
Board members feared the proposed annexation would impact the district's ability to serve its schools, primarily Black Diamond, especially if growth in that area appears and the district would need to pass a future bond.
Taff, who is the school board's Black Diamond representative, said she spoke to 100 residents in her area with all but one opposing the planned annexation.
€ gave the OK on next year's Initiative 728 budget. After a public hearing in which no one spoke, the board approved the estimated $1.7 million budget which supports student learning through reduced class size, extended learning opportunities, staff development, pre-kindergarten programs and facilities related to the other topics. I-728 money was approved by voters about six years ago.
In 2005-06, the state offered $300 for each full-time student. In 2006-07 that number will increase to $375. This year the district received $1.4 million.
Superintendent Art Jarvis said I-728 money helps the district maintain its priorities.
€ accepted resignations from Enumclaw High teachers Carrie Caselton Lowe and Michele Rupe; Kibler Elementary kitchen assistant Jamie Hall; district office secretary Kim Cutright; bus driver Karen Adsero and Southwood Elementary Early Childhood Education Assistance Program educational assistant Jennyne Johnson.
€ accepted retirements from EMS teachers Lois Robinson and Richard Cook and Kibler SLP Peggy Warren.
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com.
