The Camp Verde Unified School District superintendent created a difficult situation for himself when he recommended Camp Verde High School Principal Bob Weir for the position left vacant by the departure of Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education Superintendent Lisa Aragon.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” Dennis Goodwin said of Weir being hired on as VACTE’s superintendent for the 2016-17 school year — a development that has forced Goodwin to seek a next-to-last-minute replacement for Weir, a 24-year veteran of Camp Verde High School.
Nonetheless, Goodwin is optimistic, having already received a few applicants who appear qualified. His intent is to look at internal candidates first, but ultimately he intends to find the most qualified candidate regardless of his or her origin.
“I think we’re looking very positive to find someone,” Goodwin said, adding that the interview committee for CVHS’ next principal is composed of three teachers from the high school, CVUSD’s three principals and two individuals from the district office.
Goodwin said he would prefer to find a permanent replacement for Weir, as hiring an interim presents its own problems for students, staff and administrators.
“When you do an interim, people don’t take them seriously,” Goodwin explained.
Seated in his new office at VACTE’s Cottonwood headquarters, Weir said that though he will still reside in Camp Verde and fully believes he made the right choice to head VACTE, leaving CVHS has been difficult.
According to him, the biggest challenge will be not interacting with students on a daily basis.
“The reason I got into education was the kids,” Weir said. “It’s been 24 years with the high school. That was home for a long time. The good thing is, Camp Verde is one of VACTE’s districts, so I’m not really leaving.”
Weir vowed not to be the kind of superintendent who distances himself from events: He intends to be at the VACTE headquarters or at a school, encouraging students to take part in career and technology programs.
“You won’t see me sitting in here a lot,” Weir said.
