Alexandria City Public Schools

Home » News Releases » 2009-2010 » February 1, 2010

ACPS Begins Search for Permanent Principal for T.C. Williams

William Clendaniel, T.C. Williams High School principal since June of 2008, announced today that he will complete his successful service in Alexandria City Public Schools at the end of this school year. Mr. Clendaniel, retired principal from Langley High School in Fairfax County, was hired to lead the school through transition following the resignation of Mel Riddle. The short-term agreement turned into two years of caring, professional and seasoned leadership as T.C. Williams students and staff became accustomed to their new building.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have spent here and am still in awe of the tremendous effort put forth by the teachers and staff at T.C. Williams High School on behalf of the students in the City of Alexandria," said Mr. Clendaniel. "The students are an incredible mix of energy and talent."

T.C. Williams has established a visioning committee made up of staff, students and community members to help shape the school's direction for the future. Superintendent Morton Sherman talked with Mr. Clendaniel about the need to have a commitment for the next three to five years to see through the next stage of T.C.'s development. The length of that commitment was more than Mr. Clendaniel wished to make at this time.

"Bill has done a remarkable job for the past two years. He has led the school in a time of great change. We are deeply appreciative of his leadership and dedication to the students of Alexandria," said Dr. Sherman.

T.C. Williams High School is the flagship of our school division, and it has long had the reputation of a school with deep traditions of success, caring and high expectations for all its students. Our School Board has provided an excellent context for professional conversations about the next years at T.C. through the lens of the ACPS Strategic Plan. A newly formed T.C. Vision and Action Committee (Imagine the Titans) will review where we are and where we should be going in the years ahead.

As we search for a permanent T.C. principal, we will look specifically for the skills and experience that will move the high school toward accomplishing this vision.

Significant numbers of applicants are expected to apply for this position. ACPS will hire a search firm to identify the best candidates. The process will include:

  1. Gathering community input about the qualities desired of the new principal.
  2. Advertising in educational publications and newspapers.
  3. A résumé screening panel and phone-interview panel to narrow the field of top candidates.
  4. Structured, confidential interviews will be conducted and the search firm will recommend three to five finalists to be interviewed by Dr. Sherman.
  5. Dr. Sherman will interview the finalists and make a recommendation to the School Board.

The new T.C. principal is expected to start on July 1, 2010.

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