Board hires new principals for Weiser High, Middle Schools

The Weiser School District on Monday voted unanimously to hire Drew Dickerson as the new principal at Weiser High School.

 Dickerson, who currently serves as assistant principal, was hired to replace Dave Davies who has taken on a new role with the district as its Federal Program Administrator going into the 2023-24 school year. Dickerson, until this past season, also served as head coach of the WHS wrestling team.

 Also on Monday, Adolfo Cardenas was chosen by the district as the new Weiser Middle School principal to replace Kenneth Dewlen who was recently hired as the district’s Superintendent to replace Wade Wilson who decided this past winter to retire. Cardenas, who currently serves as assistant principal at WMS, said that becoming a principal was part of his career plans.

 “It has always been [my goal] since I started teaching, to be in this position,” he told the Signal American. “I’m extremely excited and looking forward to the opportunity.”

 Mr. Dewlen was tasked with forming a hiring committee for the two crucial positions. The committee consisted of board members, parents, and administrators who reviewed applications, conducted interviews, and ultimately made recommendations to the board.

 “This is a top priority when you start looking at the leadership in the district,” Wilson told board members during a regular meeting held Monday, April 10. “I appreciate Mr. Dewlen’s efforts to put together a committee to fully vet our applicants. I understand that the interviews went very well. The two recommendations you have in front of you are long-time district employees who have a history in the district … have an understanding of the things we have done in the past that have been really important to our schools and our community, and also have an eye on some new things that will need to be addressed.”

 Board member Melanie Price said she is pleased to have Cardenas as WMS’s new principal.

 “I’m excited; I think he is very qualified and will do a great job for the school district,” she said.

 Board Chairman Jim Brush was equally optimistic about Dickerson.

 “It was a great interview, a great discussion after the interview,” he said. “[It’s an] opportunity to move forward and get better.”

 More information on Dickerson and Cardenas will appear in a future issue of the Signal American.