The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board approved a new principal for Riverside Intermediate School, over the objections of the local teacher’s union.  Dana Kaminski has now been officially named to the principal’s post.  The concerns were not about the person named, but about the process used by administrators to select the new principal.

Mary Carson, speaking for the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, said teachers were not involved in the selection process for the Riverside Intermediate principal, which the association says is a departure from past practice.  Carson argued that a local teacher in their association says “having teachers on the selection committee would help inform the decision and win the trust of teaching peers.”  Carson told the board the association asks the board and administration for a return to the past practice in conducting principal interviews.

The board voted to select Kaminski on a tally of 4-1,  Board member Michelle Fullhart voted no, and two board members abstained from voting.  The vote was taken quickly, making it unclear at the time which board members chose to abstain from this vote.  LarryInFishers has since confirmed that board members Mike Bottorff and Amanda Shera abstained.

Kaminski will replace the previous Riverside Intermediate principal, Danielle Chastain.