PRESS RELEASE

FROM:
John H. Powers, Superintendent of Schools
Oyster River Cooperative School District
SAU #5, 36 Coe Drive, Durham NH 03824

DATE:
May 10, 1996

For immediate release:

The Oyster River School Board, at its meeting of Thursday evening, May 9, elected Christopher R. Cairns of San Clemente, California, as principal of the Oyster River High School effective July 1, 1996.

Mr. Cairns is currently the Principal of San Clemente High School, a position he has held since 1992. The high school is a part of the Capistrano Unified School District within which Mr. Cairns has worked since 1975 first at the middle grades level in positions as an English teacher, counselor, vice-principal, and principal, and as assistant high school principal. He began his career as an English teacher at the Henry Clay Junior High School in Los Angeles. A graduate of Princeton University with an English major, Mr. Cairns also holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of LaVerne.

Mr. Cairns facilitated a number of restructuring initiatives at San Clemente High School, including site based management, a shared decision making model involving staff, students, parents and community; block scheduling and tutorial program for more effective use of instructional time; and a program of "Career Paths," including an Arts and Communication Academy and a Business Academy. Other initiatives include the development of a School Improvement Site Council, a Facilities Advisory Council, a Youth Task Force, and an Ethnic Advisory Council. Mr. Cairns has reached out into the community as a partner in the educational mission. San Clemente High School has recently been recognized by the State Department of Education as a "Distinguished School."

The School Board selection of Mr. Cairns resulted from an intensive search process. Following initial screening of 37 candidates, the Board authorized the formation of independent committees of teachers, parent/community members, and students to interview finalist candidates, to visit candidates at their current place of employment, and to file reports of findings. Committee members were invited to observe the finalist candidate interviews before the Board, and to address and interact with the Board regarding their observations.

Among the many qualities Mr. Cairns brings to the Oyster River District is his understanding and commitment to the high school aged student, with further insight into their development resulting from his earlier experience with students of middle school age. He is a consensus builder with a record of inclusion of teachers, students, parents, and community in the decision making process. His community outreach has included service as President of the San Clemente Kiwanis Club.

The Oyster River High School Principalship has been vacant since mid-January upon the death of Principal Ann Brown. Assistant Principal Nancy Winterbottom has been the Acting Principal at the School, a position which continued through the end of June.

Last update on 29-Mar-99 at 9:27 PM.

http://www.orol.org/district/press_releases/pr_960510.html

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