Five Finalists Vie For University High Principal Job CV Board Hoping To Hire By May 22

The Central Valley School Board plans to find a new principal for University High School by May 22.

Twenty-one people - 18 men and three women - applied for the position which will be vacated when principal Dennis Hill accepts a position with district administration. One of the applicants was African American; the rest were white.

The five finalists, all men, will be interviewed by May 17 by a committee made up of parents, teachers, staff and administration.

Here’s a quick look at each finalist’s background:

Jack J. Anderson is assistant principal of Kamiakin High School in Kennewick. After 13 years as a biology teacher, track and football coach at the school, Anderson became assistant principal in 1992.

Anderson has a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Washington University, and a master’s degree in education from Heritage College in Toppenish, Wash.

David D. Feldhusen has been principal of Deer Park Junior High School since 1993 and was assistant principal of U-Hi from 1990 to 1993. He taught special education at U-Hi from 1980 to 1990 and at West Valley High School, Yakima, from 1978 to 1980. He has coached basketball, track and golf.

Feldhusen holds a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in education administration from EWU.

Erik H. Ohlund has been an assistant principal at North Central High School since 1988. He was athletic director of the Coeur d’Alene School District from 1985 to 1988 and taught at Coeur d’Alene High School from 1972 to 1985, also coaching the wrestling and track teams.

Ohlund has a bachelor’s degree in education and American government from Idaho State University and a master’s degree in teaching from Whitworth College.

Kenneth A. Surby has been principal of Hanford Secondary School since 1991. He was principal of Lake Roosevelt High School from 1989 to 1991 and has also been assistant principal of West Valley High School and Argonne Junior High. He taught in the West Valley School District for 10 years and in Bonner County, Idaho, schools for two years. He has coached football, basketball and track.

Surby has a bachelor’s degree in K-12 teaching and a master’s degree in education administration from Whitworth College.

John T. Traynor has been principal of Gonzaga Preparatory School since 1989. He was principal at Greenacres Junior High School from 1986 to 1989. Traynor also taught at U-Hi from 1968 to 1986 and has taught at Gonzaga University and EWU as an adjunct professor.

Traynor holds a bachelor’s degree in history, English and French from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, a master’s degree in modern European history from Seattle University and is a doctoral candidate at Gonzaga University in educational leadership.