The job has been posted and the bidding is closed. And likely by the time early June rolls around Bridgeport High School will know who the new principal will be for the 2018-19 school year.

 

Harrison County Schools Supervisor of Personnel, and former Bridgeport Middle School Principal, Carole Crawford said the bidding process ended midnight Wednesday.

 

“We hope to name a principal June 5 for the next school year. That doesn’t mean they individual will start at that time, but that’s the time where we hope to make it official,” said Crawford.

 

Crawford could not comment on the number of applicants. She said there were “several” and “there was some interest.”

 

The position became open recently when long-time BHS Principal Mark DeFazio announced his retirement after four decades in the education system. DeFazio’s last official day is June 30. He planned to stay a little longer to allow whoever replaces him to become acclimated to the system.

 

According to Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin, he said the process will be similar to the process done in hiring most principals in the county. He said there is more than one way, however, he could proceed.

 

“The applications will be brought to me and I’m on the interview team for principals, which is how we typically proceed,” said Manchin.  “In theory, I could do this by myself and make the recommendation to the (elected members) of the (Harrison County) Board (of Education), but that’s not how I operate.”

 

Manchin said he prefers to interview all the candidates applying for positions. He said the only ones typically not interviewed are those not meeting the job qualifications.

 

As for interviews, Manchin said he won’t be the only one involved and the only group involved. He said Bridgeport High School’s Faculty Senate will also interview. Manchin added that the recommendation from that group isn’t just a token recommendation.

 

“I can assure you we put a lot of stock in the recommendation of the faculty senate at each school because they are the group that has to work each day with the individual that will be leading their school,” said Manchin. “It’s incredibly important for there to be a good working relationship between the principal and the staff and it starts with a recommendation from the faculty senate.”

 

Manchin said once the interviewing is done with his small group and the BHS Faculty Senate, he will compare notes. He said, very often, it’s not as clear cut as some may thing.

 

“I think a lot of times people believe so and so is going to get the job, but that’s not always the case. What sometimes happens is the faculty senate will have a unanimous decision and if that’s the case, and even if it’s not, I’ll talk with the faculty senate president about their recommendation,” Manchin said. “More often than not, I’ll accept the recommendation of the faculty senate because I’m not the one working with the individual on a daily basis.”

 

Manchin said his interview team will likely include Assistant Superintendent Dr. Donna Hage, along with either another principal from another school or a member of the board’s central office staff. He said no matter what happens, the newcomer will have their hands full – and not for anything bad.

 

“Mark DeFazio is a good, decent and honorable man that’s very well respected,” said Manchin. “You add to that the success Bridgeport High School has had under his leadership and you can see why he’s leaving some big shoes to fill.”

 

Crawford said the interview process won’t take place immediately as it’s been determined to wait for graduation to take place. She said meetings to review applications will begin the week of May 28 with the recommendation likely coming, as mentioned above, at the June 5 meeting of the Harrison County Board of Education.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows BOE Supervisor of Personnel Carole Crawford, while in the bottom picture Mark DeFazio, left, is shown with Dr. Mark Manchin.