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Interim principal to finish out school year at Elba Central School

By Howard B. Owens

The Elba Elementary Central School will operate under the supervision of an interim principal for the remainder of the school year, according to District Superintendent Jerry Piwko.

Last month, the school board was unable to reach a consensus on who to hire permanently for the position and two weeks ago, Tom Cox, a retired administrator from Lyndonville, was placed into the job temporarily.

A new recruitment and interview process won't start until the school year closes, Piwko said, adding that he hopes a new principal can be hired by August, if not sooner.

"The sooner the better, and we'll go from there," Piwko said.

The position has been vacant since early December, when former principal Jason Smith resigned to accept a superintendent's job in Lyndonville.

"Jason is a great person and a great administrator and he was offered a great opportunity," Piwko said.

The process used to try and find a replacement for Smith involved a faculty search committee, a second interview community, parental involvement and the final two candidates interviewed with Piwko.

However, at their April meeting, the board was unable to come to an agreement on hiring a candidate.

Piwko said the process will be reviewed and he anticipates using a similar process this summer.

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