Carlson hopeful open school slots will be filled

The Havre Public Schools superintendent said he is confident that the open positions at the schools will be filled by the time classes start Aug. 31.

Andy Carlson said there is a pool of candidates who are being considered and that certified staff positions are “looking pretty good” as far as them being filled.

Within that pool, Carlson said, he hopes to find the person who will fill the assistant principal job opening at Havre High School, from which Kipp Lewis recently resigned, as well as Maureen Odegard’s principal position at Highland Park Early Primary School.

“We’re in the process of doing interviews. We’re hopeful to bring recommendations (to the Board of Trustees) by July 26, or Aug. 9,” he said of both positions.

During the 2015-2016 school year, Havre public schools lost numerous  employees. While a large number of teachers retired, other employees such as Business Manager Mike Arnold and Lewis, took jobs in other districts.

Carlson said Arnold’s position was officially filled June 28 by Shanna Flores, who is from Chinook, where Arnold lived. Flores has been the clerk at Chinook schools for a number of years, and Carlson said he’s confident she’ll do well.

Carlson said the high school is also looking for a choir instructor to take over for Carly Ray, who resigned June 30.

Other positions Carlson said Havre schools are trying to fill are inlcude least two special education teachers, one for the middle school and one for the high school.