NOME, ALASKA — After serving as interim principal for two months, John Berkeley has got the top job at Nome-Beltz Junior and Senior High School for the long term.
The board of education for Nome Public Schools approved Berkeley’s contract at a regular meeting Tuesday night. He will serve as principal for the rest of this school year and for the 2016-2017 school year.
Superintendent Shawn Arnold said the school district received about 40 applications for the principal position from candidates around the state. But he said the board is excited to hire from within Nome Public Schools.
Berkeley has worked for the district for 12 years — first as a teacher and then as an administrator.
“I think it’s going to benefit the community because they’ve always asked for local hires,” said Board member Jennifer Reader. “I’m super excited that we had somebody local able and willing to apply for that position.”
Berkeley previously served as the director of federal programs for Nome Public Schools. Arnold said the district will now search for a candidate to fill that vacancy.
The school board also extended Arnold’s contract at Tuesday’s meeting. Arnold will continue to lead the district as superintendent through the 2018-2019 school year.
