Harrisburg High School’s John Harris Campus.
Harrisburg began its national search this week for a new principal for its main high school.
Superintendent Benjamin Henry said Thursday that the principal position at Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus opened on Monday and that the district will be taking applications for at least three weeks. The district hopes to begin interviews for the role in March and introduce a candidate to the school board in April.
Henry said the ideal person for the role—which boasts a salary range of $116,990 to $156,063—has experience working in an urban school setting and can commit to the post for a minimum of three years.
“We can’t continue to have that revolving door of replacing a principal at the high school every year to two,” he said. “That’s one of the biggest parts we’re looking for is someone that’s committed to being here, that wants to be here in the city.”
John Harris has seen significant turnover with principals in recent years. Its most recent former principal, Christopher Sattele, left the district in December for another position after serving for roughly a year.
Sattele began after Laquan Magruder, who served, beginning in 2023, for roughly a year as well before he was arrested for violating a protection-from-abuse order and subsequently resigned.
The principal prior to Magruder, Michelle Felton, held the post for about two years.
“When you have the revolving door that John Harris has had over the past few years, it’s hard to get going in a positive direction,” Henry acknowledged, adding that the school needs a principal who “really wants to be invested” in Harrisburg.
Per the job listing, the ideal candidate could also help the high school improve on student performance, attendance and school culture, as well as mentor younger teachers.
“We need to lift instruction, especially when it comes to increasing our reading and math scores,” Henry said, acknowledging that a principal who could mentor younger, less-experienced teachers on instruction may be able to help with the necessary instruction to do so.
Currently, longtime school district employee Roma Benjamin is serving in the interim principal role.
For more information on the position, visit Harrisburg School District’s job listing.
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