Hazen High School Gets New Leadership

Information from the Renton School District

Randy Taylor has been selected as Hazen High School’s interim principal for the 2013-2014 school year, replacing John Kniseley who recently accepted a position at Kentwood High School in the Kent School District. Pending School Board approval on July 17, Taylor will immediately take over his new duties.

Taylor has significant leadership experience at high schools, having recently served as principal of Mount Si High School in the Snoqualmie Valley School District for six years, and five years as principal of Auburn High School. He has also served as a middle school principal and teacher at high schools and middle schools. 

Taylor, who holds master’s degrees in education and school administration from Central Washington University, was named 2003 High School Principal of the Year by the Washington Library Media Association and was also named Washington State Regional Distinguished Principal in 1998 and 2009 by the Association of Washington Secondary School Principals.

The district placed Taylor in the interim position to allow time to conduct a more thorough search during the 2013-2014 school year—a process that will engage staff, students, parents and community—to find a permanent principal.

Additionally, Susan James is Hazen High’s new assistantprincipal—also pending School Board approval—replacing Sam Yuhan who, prior to Kniseley’s departure, accepted a principal position at Eisenhower Middle School in the Everett School District.

James was most recently an administrative intern and English teacher and at Auburn Riverside High School. She has served on many school- and district-level leadership teams and committees. She holds a master’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction, and was named Auburn School District’s Teacher of the Year in 2009.

Ed Crow remains assistant principal, providing significant skills and bringing continuity and seasoned leadership, to Hazen High’s administrative team.