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WEMS principal to graduate to Williams Unified School District Superintendent
School board unanimously votes to extend contract to Rachel Savage

Rachel Savage. Photo/WGCN

Rachel Savage. Photo/WGCN

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Williams Elementary-Middle School Principal Rachel Savage will begin next year at a new job - Williams Unified School District (WUSD) Superintendent. The WUSD Governing Board offered her the job last week with a unanimous vote following an interview process that included 18 applicants.

The board opted not to combine the superintendent position with one of the district's principal positions.

"We felt like it was in the best interest of the schools to have administrators in both buildings for a couple of years to get the discipline back on track," Board President Kristi Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson said board members felt that with Superintendent and Williams High School Principal Steve Hudgens departure at the end of May, transition time is limited.

"It was best to have someone familiar with the district and I think Rachel's got a pretty good overall viewpoint on education, the educational system and how the district works," Fredrickson said. "We're excited about it. Rachel knows the community. She's got great vision. She's a go-getter. She's got a lot of energy. We need that."

Savage said she is excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve as superintendent.

"This will allow me to serve students and their families in a much greater capacity," she said. "I have served as principal of the Williams Elementary-Middle School for the past three years. During this time, I have grown very impressed by the teachers and staff and their never-ending commitment and dedication to the students in this district."

Savage added that she has been grateful for the level of involvement from the community.

"I look forward to further developing those positive working relationships and trust with all stakeholders," Savage said. "By working together we can help students succeed. I am currently developing my entry plan and goals for this district and will be seeking input and vision from both the staff and community."

The district will begin the search process for two principals - one at the high school and one at WEMS - immediately.

Fredrickson said there are candidates within the district qualified for the principal positions but the district will likely look externally as well.

"We'll probably do the same thing we did with the superintendent position," Fredrickson said.

According to Fredrickson, despite adding a third administrator by not combining the superintendent and principal positions, costs to the district will not increase due to teacher retirements, administrator position shifts and lower total administrator contract costs due to experience level.

"I think in the long run, with the scenarios I've looked at, we should be good financially in terms of not spending any additional money for administrators," Fredrickson said.


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