BUCKHANNON -- Upshur County school officials probably will begin interviewing candidates for the vacant position of principal at Buckhannon-Upshur County High School in September.
In the meantime, veteran educator Lynn Westfall has been tapped to guide the school through the transition period. Former Principal Dr. William Carmen left the school earlier this summer.
"The job was posted nearly a month ago, and we won't begin looking at the resumés and interviewing candidates until the posting is completed," said Superintendent Dr. Mary Alice Klein. She said the application deadline is Sept. 6, and school officials hope to have a new principal hired by the end of September or early October.
"We were very fortunate to secure a former superintendent to substitute in the principal's position," she said. "We're very pleased with his accomplishments in getting the school year under way. It could have been an awkward time, since many of the highly qualified administrators are committed elsewhere, but we were able to tap into an experienced person to help us through this."
Westfall, who retired as Upshur County schools superintendent five years ago after serving in the position for 10 years, said he was happy to fill in until a permanent replacement can be found.
"I was on the substitute teacher and principal list last year and worked in five elementary schools as a substitute principal and several days at the middle school and high school as a teacher," he said. "I'm having a wonderful time here. We had a very smooth opening of school.
"Everyone has been very upbeat, positive and supportive," he said.
Despite the ease with which Westfall has slipped back into the role of administrator, he said he's not ready to return full time.
"I've got a lot of things that keep me busy," he said. "But I told them I would stay here until they found someone else."
Regional writer James Fisher can be reached at 626-1446.
