Hockinson School District will see some leadership changes this summer.
Andy Schoonover has been hired and approved by the School Board of Directors, to serve as principal at Hockinson High School beginning July 1. He comes to Hockinson from Battle Ground School District, where most recently he was principal at Summit View High School. He also served as assistant principal at Pleasant Valley Middle School, Chief Umtuch Middle School and Prairie High School, where he was the athletic director. Prior to that, Schoonover taught social studies in Battle Ground schools and served as a senior counselor at Association of Washington School Principals student leadership camp for 13 years.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Andrew to our school district,” said Superintendent Sandra Yager. “He is excited to join our team, and I know he will be a wonderful addition.”
Schoonover was one of five candidates for the position. The selection process included interviews with three groups from the school district—nine HHS students representing various grades and interests; seven HHS staff members and two parents; district office staff, and administrators from the Middle School and Elementary School—plus an interview with Superintendent Yager, who also met with and considered feedback from all three interview teams.
"This candidate meets the expectations of all of the interview groups," Yager said.
Schoonover assumes the post that has been held by Colleen Anders, who has worked in Hockinson School District for 26 years—at both the High School and at Hockinson Heights Primary, where she was a teacher and then principal.
As part of a district-level restructuring, Anders has been named director of Teaching and Learning for the school district. She will support all areas of curriculum adoption, assessment, and federal- and state-funded programs.
Anders’ new responsibilities will include some that have been held by Assistant Superintendent Slade McSheehy, who is leaving the district to become superintendent of Vashon Island School District.
McSheehy was principal at Hockinson Middle School from 2012 to 2015 and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction from 2015 to 2018, and we wish him the very best with his new endeavor.