Supt. hired to help in transition

Grand Coulee Dam School District’s board of directors hired Menehune Consultants, LLC, of Electric City, Monday night, to help with the transition of changing superintendents in the district.

Principal party in the firm is Dr. Dennis Carlson, the present superintendent.

Board member Ken Stanger said it would be very helpful for Carlson to assist in the changing of administrations and that the new superintendent, Paul Turner, welcomed the decision, providing a mentor for the initial changeover period.

“I want to utilize Dr. Carlson’s contacts, and there are federal grant and other ongoing issues that I will welcome his advice on,” Turner said Tuesday.

Stanger said that the transition period would likely be completed by the end of the year.

The board hired Menehune Consultants for a maximum of 100 days and a fee not to exceed $65,000.

Carlson said this week that he has been bringing Turner in on most district decisions, particularly in preparing the budget. “He will be the one that makes the budget work this next year,” Carlson noted.

Turner will take over administrative duties July 1, the beginning of the new budget year.

The transition consultant position was advertised by the board with a comprehensive list of qualifications. The firm headed by Carlson was the only party completing the necessary paperwork. One other firm had indicated interest, but didn’t complete the application forms, it was reported.

Turner, formerly a superintendent at Tonasket, was hired as assistant principal at Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School,at the beginning of the current school year. He was selected by the board from among several candidates to replace Carlson after notice of his retirement earlier this year.

In other action Monday night, the school board listened to two appeals from seniors requesting that they be allowed to participate in the graduation exercise. Waivers were granted by the board in both cases.