Turner offered school district lead position

Paul Turner, the assistant principal at Lake Roosevelt Junior and Senior High School, has been offered the position as superintendent of schools for the Grand Coulee Dam School District.

The board made the decision Monday night. The school board will now need to negotiate a contract with Turner.

If successful in the contract issue, Turner will replace Dr. Dennis Carlson, who has been in the district for the past six years. Carlson will retire June 30, but could remain in the district for a short transitional period.

Carlson saw the school facility building project through from start to finish. District students are in their second year in the new school.

Turner and his wife Brenda, both grew up in Priest River, Idaho. The couple has four children.

The superintendent candidate went to college at Lewiston, Idaho, where he received his bachelor's degree and teaching certificate. He has a master's degree from Heritage College in Toppenish, Washington, and received his superintendent's credentials through Washington State University.

Turner started teaching math at Bridgeport, and was there four years, and then went to Hunters, where he became principal and superintendent. He was at Hunters 11 years and from there he took the superintendent position at Tonasket. He was superintendent there for six years before accepting the vice principal assignment at Lake Roosevelt Junior and Senior High School.

The board started its search early in December, first posting the position within the district. Turner interviewed with the board earlier in January.

After Monday night's vote by the board, Turner thanked the board members for selecting him and for giving him the opportunity this year to get to know the students in his role as assistant principal.

Turner said Tuesday he was looking forward to working with students and staff members.