District hires new administrative leaders

District hires new administrative leaders
Former Hispanic Educator of the Year named Garrison Middle School principal and Baker Boyer Bank Vice President hired as Executive Director of Business Services

Friday, May 24: WALLA WALLA – Today during a special board meeting, Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors unanimously approved the hiring of Roberto Elizondo as principal of Garrison Middle School and Theodore “Ted” Cohan as the Executive Director for Business Services. Elizondo replaces current Garrison Middle School Principal Gina Yonts who was named principal of Green Park Elementary in Walla Walla. Cohan replaces Patricia “Pat” Johnston who will retire June 30.

Elizondo and Cohan will assume their new duties July 1, 2013. Both administrative hires were selected from a vast pool of qualified principal candidates through a rigorous interview and selection process.

Walla Walla Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Laure Quaresma will now lead a process to hire a new assistant principal at Garrison Middle School. Current Garrison Middle School Assistant Principal Brett Cox was named superintendent of the Prescott School District. Quaresma expects to have a new assistant principal hired by the end of the school year.

Roberto Elizondo
Elizondo is currently the principal of Riverside Junior/Senior High School in the Morrow County School District in Lexington, Oregon. Elizondo served as principal at Stevens Middle School in Pasco from 2004 to 2010 and was a principal on special assignment at Chiawana High School during the 2010-11 school year. He has also worked as a school counselor for Sunnyside High School, Dean of Students for Pasco High School and Assistant Principal of McLoughlin Middle School in Pasco.

Elizondo received a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, cum laude from Central Washington University and his Master's in Education and Administrative Certificate from the Heritage University. Elizondo was named Hispanic Educator of the Year in 2003 and 2007 by the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He also co-chaired the Tri-Cities Gang Prevention Task Force. He is a talented musician and avid reader.

"Mr. Elizondo stood out in a very strong pool of candidates for the Garrison Middle School principal position,” said Superintendent Mick Miller. “He is an educator who truly loves kids, builds community and values the work of staff. I think he will be a great fit at Garrison and a wonderful addition to the district."

The salary range for Elizondo’s position is $92,988 to $108,664.

Ted Cohan
Cohan will oversee and manage the daily, monthly and annual business functions of the school district and assist the superintendent and district leadership team with personnel and labor relations. He will develop and monitor the district’s budget, account practices and internal controls. The Executive Director supervises the Business Office and performs other necessary financial, business and operational duties as assigned by the superintendent.

Cohan is currently Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for Baker Boyer Bank. He has been an employee of Baker Boyer Bank since 1999. He has been a Certified Financial Planner for 10 years. Cohan earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Colorado State University.

Cohan is active in the Walla Walla community. He is currently the YMCA of Walla Walla Board President and a presenter for Junior Achievement. He also served as the Explorer Parent Organization board president for four years and treasurer of the Prospect Point Parent Teacher Organization for two years.

The salary range for Cohan’s position is $100,512 to $108,318.

"The district is fortunate to be welcoming Ted Cohan to serve as its Executive Director for Business Services,” Superintendent Mick Miller said. “He has big shoes to fill following Pat Johnston, but I am confident in Ted's financial background, as well as his knowledge of the school district and community. I am excited to have him join the district's administrative team."