A veteran Hockinson School District educator who was hired as Hockinson High School’s original principal a decade ago will be the district’s next superintendent, officials said Thursday.
Sandra Yager, 44, will succeed Michael Grubbs effective June 30. Under a negotiated agreement with the school board, Grubbs, who tendered his resignation March 23, will receive six months’ pay from the school district after he officially steps down.
Yager, an Argentina native, has nearly 20 years of teaching and educational leadership experience in Southwest Washington, including nearly a decade in the Hockinson School District. She served this school year as principal of Monticello Middle School in the Longview School District. Her hire as superintendent is pending a successful contract negotiation.
The Hockinson School District is a 47-square-mile suburban and rural area southeast of Battle Ground and north of Camas. The K-12 program serves around 1,900 students.
“It’s a wonderful next challenge for me,” Yager said. “I’m ready and prepared for it.”
Yager began her career in the Vancouver School District.
The Hockinson School District hired Yager in 2001 to plan for and open the district’s first high school. Hockinson High School opened in 2003. The following year, she received her superintendent’s certificate.
Yager’s roots in the Hockinson School District run deeper than work. Her two children attend the district’s schools.
“I do this work for the kids and to work really hard to give kids a good education,” she said. “I work tirelessly for all kids, not just my kids.”
Yager’s predecessor, Grubbs, applauded her hire and noted her enthusiasm for her job was infectious to all around her.
“Sandra’s a charismatic leader,” Grubbs said. “She has lots of passion for education and kids.”
The Hockinson School Board chose Yager over 10 other candidates. Board members reviewed applications, screened candidates, checked references, and met in executive sessions April 12, 14 and 18.
School board member Ron Arp lauded Yager’s ability to inspire those around her.
“Her commitment to Hockinson and her passion to student learning are above reproach,” Arp said.
Grubbs has served as Hockinson’s superintendent for nearly two years. His contract was set to end in June 2013. As part of a separation clause in his contract, Grubbs will receive six months’ of pay, or around $57,500, following June 30. He made $115,000 per year.
Separation clauses like the one Grubbs had in his contract are common, Arp said. He noted Yager’s contract would most likely contain the same clause.
Grubbs said his decision to retire was “a mutual one” with the school board. He opposed calling his arrangement a “buyout” because he said it implied he did nothing to earn the money.
“At this point, I’ve done all I can at Hockinson and I need to look at other positions,” he said, explaining he would be open to serving as an interim superintendent or superintendent for another school district.
Ray Legendre: 360-735-4517, or ray.legendre@columbiancom, Twitter: www.twitter.com/col_smallcities
