At the close of Sedona-Oak Creek School District’s school year on Friday, May 22, Scott Keller will become the sole principal of West Sedona School, expanding his responsibilities over fifth through eighth grades to encompass all grades.

“We had in excess of 20 applicants,” SOCSD Superintendent David Lykins said Tuesday, May 19, adding that the individuals were mostly from Arizona and were easily winnowed down to five candidates with “impressive” educational and administrative backgrounds.

The selection process began upon the resignation of WSS kindergarten-through-fifth-grade Principal Lisa Hirsch on March 18. The district split the K-8 principal position into two parts in June, giving Keller control over grades six through eight while relegating former full Principal Hirsch to govern just the lower grades. The vacancy was posted throughout April for candidates with a K-8 administrative background, effectively recombining the two principal positions into one.

Lykins picked the interview team, composed of second-grade teacher Theresa Zaun; third- and fourth-grade English language development teacher Andrew Wollman; middle school math teacher Patricia Etchevery; special education teacher Rebecca Belanger, secretary Sue O’Neill, parent Kim Edwards, SOCSD board member Karen McClelland, Big Park Community School Principal Jay Litwicki and SOCSD Director of Finance Colleen McCabe.

With input from WSS teachers and staff, district administrators and involved parents, Keller was chosen from among the final candidates, which included Payson Elementary School Principal Asa Watt-Hall, Humboldt Elementary School gifted program teacher Lance Barnes, James B. Rolle Elementary School Principal Mark Cunningham, from Yuma, and WSS English Language Development Coordinator Kim Rice.

To read the full story, see the Friday, May 22, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.