Cynthia Ranii, the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Union High School District superintendent, is in the challenging position of finding principals for the 2005­06 school year at Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools. The positions demand exceptional, energetic and experienced educators who can provide collaborative leadership for the two high-achieving schools, Ranii said.

One opening comes as a result of the recent announcement of the retirement of Los Gatos High School's Trudy McCulloch in June. The position at Saratoga High was left open when Kevin Skelly resigned following the 2003­04 school year. Bill Richter, a retired principal from Lynbrook, filled the post in an interim role in the first semester, and Harry Bettencourt, a retired administrator from Fremont, took over for Richter in the second semester. Ranii said appointing a second interim principal was a critical decision.

"It was a judgment call," she said. "I was unlikely to find the applicant pool in January. We would have had to advertise the position in November."

Ranii said she's looking for candidates for both positions who have the same core competency, credentials, experience and skills, but the difference comes in matching the right person with the right school. Ranii wants principals capable of working in collaboration with the existing staff, students, administrators and parents.

When Skelly resigned from his post in August 2004—just before the start of the school year—Ranii said there were candidates who might have been interested in applying for the position, but didn't because of timing and issues such as moving from out of state. Given the current timing, Ranii is more confident she'll see a much stronger pool of applicants for both positions.

"It's the more typical recruitment period," she said.

However, it will be more rigorous for Ranii to fill the posts because instead of having one meeting with parents to hear their expectations of a new principal, she'll have two. There will be a much larger selection committee, and meetings will take place with constituents from both school areas. Students, parents, staff, administrators and community members will all be included in the input and hiring process.

"I'm going to rely on the leadership groups that are already there," Ranii said.

The school district will gather input from all stakeholders through Feb. 7, then committees will be formed for the interview process. The closing date for applications to be accepted is March 11.

Paper screening and initial background checks will take place March 14. Interviews will occur April 4 and 5, with further background checks from April 6 to 19. Ranii is expected to make a recommendation to the school board on May 3, with the appointed principals starting July 1.

"We have a very strong team of assistant principals at both high schools, and some of them might well apply," Ranii said. "The high school principalship is one of the most consuming jobs in education." She said the job can require between 60 to 80 hours a week.

"As a society we have traditionally expected the principal to be like the mayor of a small town," Ranii said.

But as society and schools have become more complex, more collaborative leadership has become necessary, and Ranii said school districts are redefining the principal position.

"We do a disservice to dedicated educators when we expect them to be at every event," Ranii said. "As nice as that is, is it really reasonable anymore?"

Ranii described the delicate balance educators face in having a life outside their jobs but also being committed to their schools. Not all educators aspire to be principals because the job can be all consuming, she said.

Ranii said she is confident the district will find the best candidates for the jobs, principals who will not disrupt the existing positive flow and leadership.

"Change can be enriching, and I have great faith in our institutions. They are empowered schools," she said.

For details about the positions, to apply, or to provide input, contact Dee Towner at 408.354.2520, ext. 237, or dtowner@lgsuhsd.org.