WSHS Interim Principal Named

Less than two weeks after to accept an administrative position in the district, Fairfax County Public Schools has named an interim principal, and closed the job announcement.

Beginning November 1, Dale Rumberger will assume interim leadership at WSHS. Rumberger retired from FCPS after serving for 33 years.  His last two appointments were at Westfield High School and South County Secondary School, where he was principal during each of the schools' openings.  According to his LinkedIn page, Rumberger currently consults with the Office of Design and Construction for FCPS on issues of capacity and program needs from K-12 grades.

Leslie Butz, assistant superintendent for Cluster VI, announced Rumberger's appointment. He will serve in the interim postion while the selction process continues for the permanent replacement to Mr. Wardinski.

Butz told the gathering at Monday's PTSA meeting that the job announcement for a new WSHS principal had been posted on the FCPS website for one week, Tuesday, September 27, through Tuesday, October 4.

During the meeting, Butz said input from parents, students and staff was vital.  "We use your input to design the questions [asked of the candidates], and to see what you desire in your new principal."  Comments were invited by email.  .

Beth Wobin, a human resources specialist in administrative employment, detailed the Principal Selection Process, which is the same for all Fairfax County public schools.  Those wanting a one-page synopsis of the presentation may request it by email from PTSA President Laurie Chadwell at wshsptsa@gmail.com.

Very basically, there are two processes: An advertisement and panel process, and the transfer process.  Once applications are reviewed to ensure they meet the minimum criteria for the position, five to eight candidates are chosen.  Wobin said an average pool for principal positions is between 25 and 35 qualified applicants.

Each candidate will face a panel interview on October 19, one of the first steps in the multifaceted selection process.  The panel will consist of three parents, three staff members, one student, one principal from the cluster and an officer from the school's PTSA.  To ensure confidentiality, the names of the candidates are not released. 

Those attending the PTSA meeting learned Monday night that the deadline for applying to participate on this panel was close-of business Tuesday, October 4.

Butz said she expects the hiring process to go quickly. "I fully expect to be out here [at WSHS] before Thanksgiving announcing the new principal," she said.