Principal Deidre Holmberg to leave Delta High to lead coming 3 schools

Deidre Holmberg said she will be graduating with Delta High School's first senior class in June.

Holmberg has been principal of the science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, high school since it accepted those seniors as freshman.

On July 1, she will become the planning principal for two new elementary schools and an early learning center being built in Pasco during the next two years.

Holmberg said it will be hard to leave the school and all the students she has developed ties with. But, she said, the school is positioned to continue its successful track record and the new position is a dream job for her.

"I went into education because of my elementary school principal so I'm really excited about this," she said.

Superintendent Saundra Hill said Holmberg was chosen for the new position because of her track record at Delta High but also her inherent skills as an educator and innovator.

Claudia Mena, 17, a senior and Delta High's Associated Student Body president, said that even though she's graduating, she's sad to see Holmberg moving on. At the same time, Claudia said she's excited for the future elementary students who will have Holmberg.

"It makes me wonder what they'll be like when they're older," she said.

A call for applications for the principal's position at Delta High was put out by the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland school districts, who jointly operate the school.

The ad seeks applicants with a background in education and as an administrator but also with a demonstrated ability to use technology in the classroom, an ability to work with diverse students and preferably to have Spanish-speaking capabilities.

The salary range listed is about $85,100 to $97,700.

This story was originally published March 30, 2013 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Principal Deidre Holmberg to leave Delta High to lead coming 3 schools."