School board conducts final LHS principal interviews

After two interview sessions with candidates for Libby High School principal, Libby School Board members will soon come to a decision on whom to offer a contract.

During the second round of interviews Thursday, the board heard first from Ruth Ann VanWorth-Rogers, who was an administrator with the Bakersfield, Calif., school district, which boasts a district student enrollment of 29,342.

The board also heard from two current district employees in Tom Gallagher, who is a sixth-grade teacher in Libby of math social studies and science, and current Libby High School Vice Principal Jim Germany.

One hour was allotted for each candidate with VanWorth-Rogers taking nearly 50 minutes for her interview. Germany took about 40 minutes, and Gallagher took about 35 minutes.

All board members were in attendance with the exception of Les Nelson, who will listen to audio tapes of the interviews and will weigh in when the board makes a decision.

The board has the gamut from which to choose its next high school principal.

VanWorth-Rogers comes from a large district with specialized background and supervisory skills that result from managing thousands of students. VanWorth-Rogers answered the board’s questions with the knowledge gleaned from sitting among the top administrators of a large district — institutional answers.

Gallagher comes from the trenches, in both serving as a teacher, dealing with children every day, and in his military service. Gallagher offered short, concise answers to the board’s litany of 15 questions.

Germany, who spoke last, offered institutional knowledge, specifically of Libby High School and spoke not in the broader sense of issues but directly to programs and issues relating to Libby High School.

“All three candidates did well, I think,” Libby Superintendent K.W. Maki said after the sessions. “Now, it’s up to the board.”

Explaining the process, Maki said board members will review the interviews and discuss the candidates Wednesday, at which time upon the conclusion of that meeting, will vote to offer a contact to one of the candidates.

That candidate, Maki said, will have time to accept the offer. If accepted, the board then formally will vote on that candidate at its April 8 regular monthly meeting. Should the candidate decide to reject the offer, the board will move to the next candidate and extend an offer to that person.

Here is a look at the candidates’ data:

Ruth Ann VanWorth-Rogers

MS, 2004, Administrative Services, Fresno Pacific University

BS, 1989, Biology, Cal State University—Bakersfield, Calif.

1985 graduate of Foothill High School, Bakersfield, Calif.

Among her duties in the Bakersfield school district were supervisor of Extended Program Department, which included summer school, parent involvement, Pre-K, Gifted and Talented. Other assignments included principal of a middle school and an elementary school; supervisor of No Child Left Behind School Choice, Supplemental Educational Services and Title 1 Private Schools.

She also served as a full-time science teacher for seventh- and eighth-grade students, as well as a teacher for kindergarten through sixth-grade school.

Thomas Gallagher

MS, 2008, School Administration, University of Phoenix

BS, 1993, Elementary Education, University of Montana Western

1989 graduate of Anaconda High School

Among his duties in Libby are sixth-grade teacher of math, social studies and science, health education and science exploratory studies. He also served as the Willow Creek, Mont., high school athletic director, head basketball, football and track coach. Gallagher also served in the U.S. Army National Guard from March 1987 to May 19, 2010. During that time he was a logistics specialist and fuel, tanker and scout, retiring as a first lieutenant. He was twice deployed to Iraq, first from December 2003 to March 2005, and then again later from January 2009 to January 2010.

James Germany

MA, 2002, Educational Leadership, University of Wyoming

BA, 1990, English/Communications, University of Wyoming

Associates of Arts, 1988, Education

1985 Graduate of Rock Springs High School, Rock Springs, Wyo.

Among his duties are dealing with the disciplinary issues at the high school and supervising all the coaches and sponsors of extracurricular activities. He has served the district since 2002, and he currently serves as athletic director. More recently has led the positive behavioral activities at LHS. He also has been involved in supervising support staff and teachers while at Libby and Riverton high schools.