Herb Rotchford named principal at Shadle Park

Herb Rotchford will become the new principal at Shadle Park High School this fall, succeeding Tom Gresch, who has accepted the principal position at Cheney High School.

Rotchford has been the principal at Sacajawea Middle School for the past 14 years.

“There’s lots of history there, deep relationships and a wonderful staff. It was a great place to be for 14 years,” said Rotchford.

Rotchford was approved for the position at the school board meeting on July 14.

“There’s going to be a lot to learn, and in a hurry. Shadle is a progressive school, with a strong purposeful staff that wants to do all they can for the kids, not only academically but socially as well,” said Rotchford.

Rotchford is a Spokane native. He graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1965 and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington.

He began his teaching career at Glover Junior High in 1973 and coached at Shadle for 10 years. He said this new position will give him a chance to reconnect with the Shadle community.

After 30 years in education, Rotchford, 56, says that retirement doesn’t even enter his mind.

“I have to keep moving and have a purpose. What better purpose than to educate young people?” said Rotchford.

Paula Ronhaar, most recently an assistant principal at Lewis and Clark High School will succeed Rotchford as principal at Sacajawea, where she served as assistant principal before going to Chase Middle School and LC.

Enrollment for ECEAP

A free movie and enrollment for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program will be offered at 9 a.m. Aug. 21 at the Garland Theater.

The state and federally funded program gives children a “Head Start” with their education.

Eligibility for Head Start/ECEAP/EHS includes:

• Families with children up to age 5, with priority given to children who are 4 by Aug. 31, with a limited number of those 3 and under.

• Families with low income.

• Families with children with disabilities.

• Foster and kinship families

Bring verification of child’s age (birth certificate or medical coupon), family income verification and immunization records.

Call 533-4800 for enrollment information, to locate a site near you, to request an application and for additional information.