Nespelem names interim principal

Deborah Panke will take over July 14 as Nespelem Elementary School’s principal, following a decision by the school board in a special Monday night meeting.

Panke, the school’s special education teacher, will take over in the wake of the recent resignation of John Adkins, who took the superintendent position at Wellpinit.

Nespelem will still need a part-time superintendent and Director Jolene Marchand was charged with negotiating an agreement with Mary Hall, a local resident qualified.

The interim-basis appointments will allow the school board a longer period of time to search for a superintendent and principal.

Panke holds a state principal certificate but has not filled that position before. Her move to the head office will vacate the special education post, as well that of boys’ basketball coach.

The board will review its 2014-15 budget at its next meeting July 28.

The school is budgeting for 120 students, down by 10 from the 2013-14 school year in anticipation of some students migrating to the new school in Coulee Dam.

The proposed budget shows expenditures for the next school year at just over $3.7 million.