Board poised to hire middle school leader for Whittell High

STATELINE -- A vote is expected today on whether to hire a principal for Whittell High School, a position that has seen many turnovers.

Trustees for Douglas County School District will consider Janie Gray to head the small school at today's trustees' meeting.

If chosen, Gray will replace Mario Gatto, who resigned in May after two years to take a principal position in Alaska.

Gray would become Whittell's fifth principal since 1998. That fact was not lost on Rich Alexander, assistant superintendent for human resources.

"It's been very tough, and we're pleased Janie wants to commit time to the school and understands the school needs that time commitment," Alexander said.

Gray, who could not be reached for comment, has lived in the district for three years while she was vice principal at Carson Valley Middle School in Gardnerville.

She has been in education since 1967. She was a teacher for middle and high schools in Texas until 1982.

Gray has a graduate degree in guidance and counseling.

She then became a high school counselor in Waco, Texas, for 13 years before becoming a high school assistant principal in 1995. She was a middle school principal in Groesbeck, Texas, before moving to Gardnerville.

"She has a real strong secondary-level background in education," Alexander said. "She will be a wonderful leader for Whittell High School."

Alexander admitted he would have preferred that Gatto's announcement was made earlier to allow more time for the search. Gray was one of seven candidates. Three were interviewed by a panel of district staff, teachers and parents.

The first person selected by the panel turned down the job. Further reference checks and individual discussions with panel members led to the selection of Gray. The pay range falls between $62,000 and $70,000.

Kathy Pavich, a Whittell parent and the school's booster club president, said she is looking forward to working with Gray, if the board approves the recommendation.

"We were hoping for someone who could spend more than one or two years with us so hopefully she will able to do that," Pavich said.

Besides the principal position, Whittell didn't have a varsity football coach until Nick Samaras was hired in June.

If you go:

What: Douglas County School District Board of Trustees meeting

Where: Kingsbury Middle School's library

When: 3:30 p.m. today