Former HHS principal Rhodes won’t be returning from maternity leave, causing administrative shuffle
There’s been a lot of movement at the administrative level at the Healdsburg Unified School District in the last few weeks, and it’s not over yet, but Superintendent Chris Vanden Heuvel is confident that the changes will be for the better.
In February, the assistant principal at Healdsburg High School Michael Waters resigned and they began a search for a replacement. However, on April 7, the principal of the high school, Lori Rhodes let Vanden Heuvel know she would not be returning following her maternity leave.
Vanden Heuvel admits he was surprised to hear the Rhodes was leaving after only two years at the helm, but he has no hard feelings.
“We are grateful to Dr. Rhodes for her work and leadership,” he said in an email. “She was a tireless advocate for all students and brought positive changes to HHS. We thank for her contributions and wish her well in her future endeavors.”
On April 18. Vanden Heuvel announced that Principal Bill Halliday from Healdsburg Junior High would be moving into the top spot at the high school.
According to a statement released by the district, Halliday has been working in HUSD for six years, following a varied career. “He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Recreational Administration with an emphasis in Experiential Education from Humboldt State University and teaching credentials in Social Studies and Alternative Education,” it reads in part. “A certified whitewater rafting guide, he began his career as an outdoor educator, teaching leadership and character through wilderness and adventure experiences. He has been an instructor in both traditional and alternative high school settings, teaching a variety of courses from GED prep to International Baccalaureate’s Theory of Knowledge. He spent six years as high school administrator in Cotati-Rohnert Park Schools in a variety of roles. He then moved his family to England for four years, where he was the principal of the ACS Hillingdon International School.”
Vanden Heuvel credits Halliday with the introduction of robotics and agricultural science courses at HJH, among others and praises his “strong rapport” with his students.
“This embodiment of our district goal of having every student in our schools be well known is one of the defining characteristics of his leadership,“ Vanden Heuvel said in the statement.
Because he announced his departure in February, a search had already begun for Waters’ replacement. A list of candidates has been gathered, but the search will be temporarily held while Halliday gets acclimated, so he has a chance to be involved in the selection.
“I think it’s important the principal have a say in who they are going to be working so closely with in the role of assistant principal,” Vanden Heuvel said. “We have a pool of candidates, and we’ll be working with him to fill that position right away.”
This leaves Halliday’s slot open at the junior high, which was already in need of an assistant principal after it was announced in March that the current assistant principal, Erika McGuire would be heading over to the top spot at Fitch Mountain Elementary school. While they are looking for a replacement for her, Vanden Heuvel says the position is being altered a bit. “We’re looking at more of a Dean of Students position, rather than an assistant principal,” he said. “We are working to get this new position filled.”
All administrators, save Rhodes who is already on leave, will remain in place through the end of the school year and then move into their new positions over the summer. Meanwhile, the hunt has begun for a new team to head up HJH.
