The process to replace Dr. Woodwall, Rocky’s beloved principal, began well before he announced his retirement to students at the back-to-school assembly.

According to assistant superintendent Dr. Traci Gile, Poudre School District was first aware of Dr. Woodwall’s decision to retire over the summer and has worked on the process since.

That process is culminating with a series of interviews this week, and an announcement of the selected candidate around the end of the month.

Dr. Gile and Dr. Woodall explained how each interview operates. The first interview was held Wednesday, January 22nd, and had approximately 5-7 candidates. It took place at the Poudre School District headquarters and the interviewing panel featured mostly PSD staff members.

The second interview took place on Friday, January 24th, and was held at Rocky Mountain High School. That interview had a panel of people from the school, including staff, students, and parents. Dr. Gile said that this interview would have about three candidates interviewing.

That panel will select two final candidates to interview at the Poudre School District office for a second time on Monday the 27th. That interview will be conducted by members of the PSD board, including Superintendent Brian Kinglsey.

Dr. Woodall also indicated “it’s possible they add another round or something if they need it.” However, it seems most likely that the process will be complete after the third round of interviews.

After the conclusion of the interviews, the district will, according to Dr. Woodall, call the candidates first before making a public announcement. That final public announcement can be expected around the end of the month.

The process included substantial amounts of community input, with the district aiming to get input from parents, teachers, staff, and students.

While a survey was sent out to parents, the approach to get feedback from students was more in-depth. Vice Principal Ian Wells helped construct a large panel of students to give feedback on Rocky and what the panels should look for in our next principal.

The student panel was asked to respond to and discuss a wide range of questions on what Rocky can do to improve and where it is already strong. Dr. Giles said that the overwhelming message from students is that “they like Rocky.”

Additionally, the district prioritized hearing from teachers, holding a similar style feedback session at the end of a staff meeting, and sending out a survey afterward to hear any other thoughts. This process was deployed in order to get a more holistic view of the school and help guide the process.

The feedback from the parent, teacher, and student review sessions was provided to everyone who interviewed a candidate in any of the three interviews.

While he didn’t confirm any particular candidates, Dr. Woodall did say he knew there was internal interest in the position. He also said he hoped, even if it sounded cliche, that “the individual will continue to commit to the foundation of this place being the people place.”

The school’s principal is responsible for a wide variety of significant responsibilities, including managing the school’s budget, carrying out district priorities, leading professional development, ensuring the building has adequate safety protocols, hiring staff, and being the primary speaker for the school. While Rocky has a wide range of vice principals who carry out critical work, the principal also bears the final responsibility for things like the master schedule in the building.

Dr. Woodall explained that if the candidate was local, he would meet with them regularly between now and the end of the school year to help begin the transition. He further said that any decisions regarding next year, including budgetary numbers, would be made by the incoming principal.

Woodall described the similar meetings he had with Mr. Lopez, his predecessor, and explained he would drive over from Poudre High School, where he was working, to meet with Lopez and the others inside of Rocky.

While the end of the school year and Dr. Woodall’s announced retirement fell far away at the beginning of the year, the process to find his successor is nearing completion.