Following Palo Alto High School Principal Adam Paulson’s announcement for his year-end resignation, PAUSD will be hosting a Schedule Needs Assessment next week to meet with students and hear their perspectives on the new principal search process.

The Schedule Needs Assessment will be held during tutorial on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Paly, according to a timeline posted by the district for the search process. Amy Love, Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent, described the timeline for the search and said the community’s priorities would be taken into account as the district selects a new principal.

“[The meetings] will be an opportunity for people to voice their concerns,” Love said.

A separate parent meeting will take place on Feb. 10 as well.

According to the timeline, Superintendent Don Austin, Deputy Superintendent Karen Hendricks, and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Services Sharon Ofek will conduct primary interviews with candidates on Feb. 21 and 24.

In addition to the community insights that the district will receive at next week’s Schedule Needs Assessment meetings, panel interviews with candidates in the first week of March will include select students, parents and staff. 

Henry M. Gunn High School Principal Kathie Laurence announced her resignation this week as well, and plans to take a position with the district office as Director of Secondary Education Services, according to a district announcement. The district began recruiting for both principal positions on Wednesday, and will close postings in mid-February before interviews and screenings.

The new principals for Paly and Gunn will be announced on Friday, March 13, according to the timeline.

More information will be updated by The Paly Voice as the principal search process continues.