Gossen named Harlan/Salem principal

By Karyn Spory, Mt. Pleasant News

Mt. Pleasant Middle School?s Associate Principal will soon have a new role within the district as Michael Gossen has been named as the principal for Harlan and Salem Elementary Schools.

Gossen was not originally a candidate for the position, said Superintendent John Henriksen.

?We had had a pool of candidates and we had four that we interviewed,? he said.

Two committees ? one made up of administration, school board members and parents, the second comprised of faculty and staff - interviewed the four finalists. Gossen had been a member of the first committee.

?We all felt like we had four really strong candidates, but as it is sometimes with committees, and doing that work by committee, we all kind of viewed their strengths differently,? he recalled. ?As we talked about the candidates, what their strengths were and what kind of fit they might be for those two buildings, Michael (Gossen) just asked me if I thought he would be a good fit.?

After a brief discussion, Gossen stepped down from the committee and began the interview process.

Henriksen said both committees felt Gossen?s time as associate principal had prepared him to take on the role of administrator for two buildings.

?It?s really hard to be at two buildings and take the leadership over two buildings,? said Henriksen. ?I really felt like Michael is a scheduled enough person and he?s got the right perspective. I think he?s going to be where he needs to be at the right time.?

The school board approved Gossen as the new elementary school principal unanimously during a special session meeting Monday night.

The search for a new associate principal for the middle school is currently underway.