The Oregon Trail School District announced Welches resident Joan Knowlton as the new principal at Firwood Elementary School last month, while Tim Werner will take the helm as the new principal at Sandy High School.

Knowlton was expected to meet the teachers and staff at the school the last week in July.

“I know there is an incredible support from the community,” Knowlton said.
“I’m hugely looking forward to that.”

Knowlton joined the district in 2008 and has coached teachers at all grade
levels in literacy instruction. She served as a Title 1 teacher and is currently
an adjust professor at Lewis & Clark College in the reading endorsement
program. She cited developing literacy and working with teachers as strengths
she will bring to the position.

“Joan is well known and respected by Oregon Trail educators,” said OTSD
Superintendent Aaron Bayer in a press release. “I am certain she will bring a
high level of creativity and expertise to her new role, and will build strong
relationships with Firwood staff, students and families.”

Knowlton takes over for Scott Maltman, a 16-year veteran of the district who
will take over as the athletic director based at Sandy High, but will also
oversee middle school athletic programs.

“Firwood has been left in really good condition; it’s not like I’m walking in and
need to fix anything,” Knowlton said. “I probably couldn’t ask for a better
situation to walk into.”

Knowlton added that the biggest challenge will be to increase test scores, but
“that is a community effort.”

Sandy High has a new leader, too

Werner started as a teacher at Sandy High School in 1998 before becoming a
vice principal in 2003. In 2007, he became vice principal at Boring Middle
School and in 2008 he became principal there.

“I am excited to be back at Sandy High School,” wrote Werner in an e-mail,
noting his wife and members of her family attended the school. “This is where
I have spent most of my educational career (1998-2007) so it feels like
coming back home to me.”

Werner noted the biggest challenge will be transitioning to the new building in
fall 2012, as the larger facility will take some getting used to.

“But what I’m most looking forward to is working with the high school
students and staff,” he added. “High school is such an exciting and
challenging time in a student’s life. We get to really focus in and prepare
students for life beyond the K-12 experience.”

Bayer expressed his confidence in the new administrative team.
“The transition to our new high school is a huge undertaking, and it is critical
that we have the strongest administrative team in place to lead that
transition,” he said in the release.