Canyons District seeks input on principals

The Canyons School District is seeking community input for its principal search.

The public is invited to share what characteristics they want for a new principal, 5 p.m. Thursday at Jordan High School, 95 East Beetdigger Blvd. (9825 South), Sandy.

"This is a brand new way to hire principals," said Tracy Cowdell, chairman of the Canyons School Board. "It's unprecedented, it's innovative, and it's in the spirit of openness and transparency that we look to the community to help us determine the qualifications for the best possible leader."

Canyons Superintendent Dave Doty agrees.

"Public engagement is one of the highest priorities of the Canyons School District," Doty said. "We believe that soliciting, and listening to, parent, staff and community feedback on the qualifications desired for principals will be invaluable in our search for outstanding principals with the capacity to deliver world-class education to students in their schools." In November 2007, east-side residents voted to leave the Jordan School District and form their own school district. The east side is now called the Canyons District.

The Canyons District is comprised of Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Midvale, Alta and Draper.

— Amy K. Stewart