Trustees Hire Elementary Principal and Early Literacy Teacher
 | Author:
Linda Kent, MT43 News Staff Reporter
MT43 News Correspondent |
Linda Kent
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Steven Cook will be the next principal of Townsend Elementary School. He replaces Christina Hartmann, who leaves her eight-year tenure with the district on July 1 to move into the role of superintendent in Seeley Lake.
“We had a lot of great applicants,” Superintendent Susie Hedalin told Townsend Schools trustees at the regular June 11 board meeting. “It was a very hard decision.”
Cook, a Townsend native and Broadwater High School graduate, is a veteran administrator with more than 20 years experience. He is the current principal of Wendover Elementary School in Elko County, Nevada Since 2013, he has also been a part-time Townsend resident.
“He’s been a successful administrator for years,” Board Chairman Jason Noyes said.
Hedalin added that staff members said their preference was for “someone who could come in and hit the ground running.”
Cook will take up the reins in Townsend this summer, once his contract for his current position ends.
Also, during the June 11 meeting, trustees approved the hire of Tiana Feller as the district’s Early Literacy Teacher.
“We’re excited to have her on a more full-time basis,” middle school principal Brad Racht told the board.
Feller, a long-time and frequent substitute in the district, will lead the new pre-kindergarten program for four- and five-year-olds who meet the criteria to participate in the voluntary program to help them get on track to be reading by third grade.
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PhotoCredit: Steven Cook
Image 1 Caption: Steven Cook
Photo Credits: Steven Cook
