CALDWELL — Lewis and Clark Elementary needs a new Principal, and who better to scout a new leader than the students.
"They should really like children and make sure they can have fun and learn at the same time," said 4th grader at Lewis and Clark Elementary, Bryan Rocha.
Students, parents, teachers, principals, and administrative staffers all took part in the interviewing process, with four potential candidates rotating through the groups.
"Each group has a different perspective of the Principal, and each has different ideas of how they'll interact and the questions they ask of the Principal," said Superintendent of Caldwell School District, Shalene French.
Students not there in-person had the opportunity to submit written questions. The handful in attendance voiced their opinions on what they'd like to see their future Principal personify.
"Responsibility, tolerance and responsibility," said 4th grader Xitlaly Calderon.
"I think the Principal should be okay with girls and boys playing sports, and I also think the Principal should be into like competitions, like science competitions," said 4th grader Alyssa Rocha.
It's not the first time Caldwell has involved students and parents in this unique decision-making process. When hiring their Director of Special Education Services three years ago, a group of students with special needs and their parents participated in the interviews. French says it's been working ever since.
"It's never come down to where, 'oh, I don't know--is it this one or this one,' because most groups come together and you can see from their input what they value, and it makes it much easier to make the decision," said French.
At the end of the day, French has the final say, but she takes all of the comments and rankings into consideration.
