This story has been updated to include additional information.
When full-time, in-person school resumes in the fall, two new principals will greet families at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools.
Juneau school officials named William Sarandria the new principal at Auke Bay Elementary School and Kelley Harvey the new principal at Harborview School on Friday morning. Both are longtime, Juneau-based educators and were selected from a field of five candidates. A committee of school staff, parents and site council members conducted interviews via Zoom earlier this week.
“We are delighted with the quality of candidates we had interested in taking on leadership roles in the Juneau School District,” said Superintendent Bridget Weiss. “Both Mr. Sarandria and Ms. Harvey bring local context, a keen interest in serving students, families and staff and a desire to support the recovery efforts ahead of us.”
Harvey and Sarandria both begin their new roles in August.
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This composite image shows Juneau School District’s two newest principals William Sarandria and Kelley Harvey. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau School District)
About the new principals
William Sarandria has worked in education since 2013. He’s been with the Juneau School District since 2015 in a variety of roles, including math teacher and advancement via individual determination elective teacher. He’s currently participating in a one-year principal internship at Yaakoosge Daakahidi High School. Before joining Juneau schools, he was at Bristol Bay Borough School in Naknek.
He holds several degrees, including a master’s in educational leadership and a master’s in the art of teaching, from the University of Alaska Southeast. In addition, he holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from Central Queensland University in Australia. He started his career as a personal trainer in Australia.
“I am humbled and honored by this opportunity. I look forward to working with the Auke Bay Elementary School community in providing a rich and engaging educational experience for all students and their families,” he said.
“I can’t wait to meet the students and families at the Auke Bay Elementary School,” Sarandria said in a phone interview Friday afternoon. “I’m extremely excited to step into this position in a place I call home. I’m thrilled to support this community and its growth going forward and to provide a meaningful and wholesome educational experience.”
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Kelley Harvey has 22 years of teaching experience in the Juneau School District. In that time, she’s held a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, instructional coach, literacy specialist and literacy leader. She currently works at Harborview, where she is a Title 1 teacher. She’s also served at Gastineau, Riverbend and Mendenhall River Community School. She holds a master’s of education from the University of Alaska Southeast and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University. She has several certifications covering a variety of topics. She is a certified Restorative Practices trainer.
“I have taught at Harborview for the last eight years, and I am so excited to get to continue working with the students, families, and staff. This is an amazing community, and I am truly honored to be given this opportunity,” she said.
“I’m very excited to step into the role of principal,” she told the Empire in an email Friday afternoon. “I am so thankful for the opportunity and look forward to getting started.”
• Contact reporter Dana Zigmund at dana.zigmund@juneauempire.com or 907-308-4891.
