PWS Principal Search Down to Three

For the last 24 years, Ken Williams has helped shape young and developing minds in Bedford.

Now the longtime elementary school principal is retiring, and the Peter Woodbury School Principal Search Committee has narrowed the field of candidates to fill his soon-to-be vacated position to three.

The search committee interviewed eight semifinalists out of 39 applicants for the position and the three finalists are as follows:

• Cheryl Daley, Assistant Principal, Peter Woodbury School, Bedford, NH – Cheryl has served as the Assistant Principal for Peter Woodbury School since 2002. Prior to that Cheryl was a guidance counselor Webster Elementary School in Manchester, NH from 1999-2002 and teacher/Guidance Counselor at Prince George’s County Public School in Adelphi, MD from 1996-1999. A 1992 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, ME, Cheryl earned her Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA in 1996, and her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA in 2002.

• Candice Fowler, Principal, Hollis Upper Elementary School, Hollis, NH – Candice has served as the Principal for Hollis Elementary School since 2008. Prior to that Candace was Assistant Principal/Special Education Coordinator at the Hollis Upper Elementary School in Hollis, NH from 2003-2008; Assistant Principal at the Center Woods Elementary School in Weare, NH from 2001-2003; and taught at Center Woods Elementary School from 1993-2001. A 1990 graduate of the University of Texas, El Paso, TX, Candice earned her Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision from University of New England, Antioch, NH in 2003.

• Daniel Mitchell, Assistant Principal, Adeline C. Marston Elementary School, Hampton, NH – Dan has served as the Assistant Principal for Marston Elementary Schoolsince 2010. Prior to that Dan taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grades at Heron Pond Elementary School, Milford, NH from 2006-2010 and taught 4th and 5th grade at St. John Regional School, Concord, NH from 2002-2006. A 2002 graduate of St. Joseph’s College, Standish, ME in Elementary Education, Dan earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH in 2009.

The search committee is visiting the finalists’ schools this week, and SAU 25 Superintendent Tim Mayes said each finalist will meet with students, parents, faculty, staff, and members of the community at Peter Woodbury School Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week.

The Bedford School Board anticipates a decision on this position by late March.