Board Ousts Sandpoint Principal

Tue., Feb. 13, 1996

From Staff Reports

The Bonner County School Board has voted not to retain A.C. Woolnough as principal of Sandpoint High School.

The surprise decision was made after an executive session late Friday. Woolnough, principal since 1992, will finish out this year and be offered a teaching job next year, said Superintendent Max Harrell.

“He has done a good job in the past, but there is a philosophical difference in terms of where the district and board are headed,” Harrell said. He declined to give any further reasons for not renewing Woolnough’s contract. The decision was made now because state law requires administrators be notified of their status for the upcoming year by Feb. 15.

Woolnough, who earns about $60,000 a year, could not be reached for comment.

Former school board chairman Ford Elsaesser called the vote to oust Woolnough “tragic.”

“A.C. is a consummate professional. I’ve never seen a better high school principal,” he said.

Elsaesser credited Woolnough with turning around the high school, which previously suffered from low teacher morale and student discipline problems. , DataTimes

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Board Ousts Sandpoint Principal

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Cd'A selects Colorado deputy police chief as new chief

‘Unconstitutional’: Idaho parents, day care sue over Medical Freedom Act

Man suspected of killing his mother in Coeur d'Alene is arrested while preparing to fly to China