St. John-Endicott seeks superintendent for co-op

The hiring process for a superintendent for St. John-Endicott Schools has been underway since the start of the year and closing of the application period will be next Tuesday, according to Toni Blackwell, St. John school board chairperson.

Last year, Jim Baldwin was hired as an interim superintendent.

Baldwin served as superintendent for both schools. He spent most of his career in Montana, but said he always wanted to come to Washington or Oregon.

After Tuesday’s closing date, they will set up dates for interviews. She said the hiring firm reported 10 candidates have either applied or expressed interest in the position. The new superintendent will officially start July 1.

“We’re looking for someone who wants to raise kids in a small town,” Blackwell said. “This is a really attractive place for someone to come. We want to show them how nice our communities are and we have good community spirits.”

Blackwell said that both boards have done a lot of work refining job descriptions and contract language in the last few months.

Gary Wargo, the superintendent for LaCrosse, St. John and Endicott schools, left last year to be the new superintendent at Cle Elum.

Wargo served a total of 14 years as a superintendent in Whitman County. He first served as superintendent of the LaCrosse District and then was hired to also head the SJE cooperative after Rick Winters departed three years ago.

The SJE cooperative operates by conducting joint board sessions at alternate sites. Blackwell presides when they meet in St. John and Marvin Schmick, chairman of the Endicott board, presides when they meet in Endicott.