For the first time, the Juneau Community Charter School (JCCS) will have a principal.
Representatives of the school selected Caron Smith, currently the principal at Bridges Career and Technical High School in Madras, Oregon, on Friday. Smith was one of two finalists, along with current Thunder Mountain High School teacher Graham Storey. The selection committee interviewed both candidates on Thursday in open sessions at JCCS.
The school’s staff, administration, parents and the JCCS Academic Policy Committee conducted the interviews. Members of the public also attended, giving their feedback on comment cards, which the committee took into account.
Previously, JCCS has had a facilitating teacher model instead of having one go-to administrator for the school. The school has around 100 students from kindergarten to eighth grade, located in downtown Juneau.
Smith began her career as a physical education teacher in Anchorage, and has 30 years of experience as a coach, dean of students, assistant principal and principal, among other roles. She has taught at the elementary, middle and high school level. Her first day as JCCS principal will be Tuesday, Aug. 1, and the first day of the new school year is Aug. 16.
