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New principal takes helm at McPolin

Frank Fisher, of the Record staff

Bob Edmiston has been chosen as the new principal of McPolin Elementary School, replacing Lori O’Connor, who submitted her resignation in early May, but continued through the end of the school year, to give administrators time to find a new principal.

An interview team of six administrators, board members and community members, interviewed five applicants, narrowing the field to three, said Park City School District superintendent Ray Timothy, who is the immediate supervisor of district principals. After considering team recommendations and interviewing the three, Timothy chose Edmiston. District board members approved the decision during their June 19 board meeting.

Edmiston has served as principal for Uinta Meadows Elementary School, in Evanston, Wyo. for the past six years, commuting daily from his home in Francis.

"I got a phone call from Tim (Tim McConnell, district head of human resources) offering me the position, and of course I accepted." He said his two-hour round-trip commute has been hard on his wife, adding, "She’s a wonderful, wonderful person."

The Edmistons have two children who attend school in the South Summit School District.

"I moved to this area in 1980 for the first time. I left twice, but I kept coming back." Edmiston said he applied for principal positions two separate times in Park City in recent years, but it was this, the third time where everything gelled. "I believe everything happens for a reason," he said, adding, "I believe I have evolved as an administrator."

"He was well qualified and he wanted to be in Park City. That was really evident," Timothy said.

"I love education and I love kids. I take my job seriously," he said on Thursday from his office in McPolin, as he prepared for his new position.

He said he wants to get to know McPolin staff, and parents and students, and he stressed the importance of teamwork and collaboration.

Edmiston said he is aware of the strong emphasis put on TRIBES, under O’Connor’s direction, and he wants to meet with educators for their input on the program. TRIBES emphasizes a safe, non-judgmental, supportive learning environment, with teachers receiving training to implement such an atmosphere.

Of the higher numbers of English language learners at McPolin, he said, "I want to do everything I can to make students and their parents feel welcome. It’s our job to find out their needs and meet those needs." He said he hopes to get ELL parents involved in the school. Edmiston, who said he loves to learn, is working on his Spanish, but admits he has a long way to go.

Edmiston, originally from Pennsylvania, said the reasons he has been attracted to Park City over the years starts with the people, describing them as "positive, and open minded." He also said, "I’m a skier. It’s such a beautiful place. I met my wife here."

Edmiston is looking forward to his position with the Park City School District, and said, "I hope this is the beginning of a long and wonderful relationship."

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