Whittell HIgh School and Zephyr Cove Elementary get new principal

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - Both Douglas County schools at Lake Tahoe are going to start off the new school year with a new principal, Shawn Lear.

During Tuesday's school board meeting, Lear's hiring appeared on their consent agenda. It was approved, making him the principal of both Zephyr Cove Elementary School and George Whittell High School in Zephyr Cove.

Lear comes to Lake Tahoe from Elko where he most recently served as an assistant principal for the last year in a K-12 school, the Carlin Combined School. Prior to that, he served as the assistant principal of operations for Nevada Connections Academy, an online charter school. He has also served as a dean of students at Billinghurst Middle School. Shawn taught AP Social Studies for ten years and coordinated the technology program at North Valleys High School in Reno.

"His broad experience makes him well-suited to serve as the principal of the lake schools," said Douglas County School District Superintendent Terry White in her recommendation.

Next on tap will be to find an assistant principal.

The District used an interview process that drew concern from some of the parents at the lake schools. Previously parent-teacher groups had been part of the search for principals. What the District did use was the process they use at the rest of the schools in Douglas County.

The parents' group said they are happy with the choice of Shawn Lear and is planning a BBQ to officially greet him in August.

"He seems to be outgoing and very excited about being at the Lake Schools," said a post on the parents' group Facebook page. They were also impressed Lear work red, the schools' color, to the Tuesday meeting.

There are no plans to combine the schools as some once thought. The District is concerned with declining enrollment and will work with the community, parents and the new principal to try and stop, or reverse, that trend. A new principal at the schools may help in that endeavor.