Vice-principal leaves high school

by Kenneth Cunningham

Seniors are not the only people moving on from Blaine high school this year; vice-principal Tim Haney is leaving Blaine to become the principal of an alternative high school in Edmonds, Washington.

“He has brought a great deal of enthusiasm and a high level of energy to our school,” said principal Dan Newell. “He will be a difficult person to replace.” Haney officially resigned May 21 and May 22 the job was advertised electronically. Five people applied within the first hour. Twelve applied during the first two days the job was listed.

Haney brought 6'4" and 220 pounds of enthusiasm to Blaine high school, said teacher Dave Fakkema. “He was really involved with students. Kids go in just to talk. He even has treats in his room. Kids feel open to talk and learn to make connections with people. He really worked with kids who usually don’t want to be there.”

The vice-principal was distinguished by his dog-like barked greeting and lightning speed. “The pace at which he works is incredible,” Newell said. “He juggles so many balls at once. He will be missed by all students, teachers and administrators and especially me the high school principal,” Newell said.

His disciplinary actions did not endear the vice principal to everyone at Blaine high school. “If you were bad you won’t miss him. If you were a good person you will” senior Josh Smith said.

“As a teacher I look at someone who deals with things I do not want to deal with.,” Fakkema said. “Teachers have confidence that the vice-principal will follow through with what I think in the classroom. So I think with that aspect the vice principal will back the teachers. My job will not change much.”

In Haney’s first year he made a good first impression on Fakkema. “I remember two kids were going to leave campus and the second student didn’t want to, saying Haney will find out, he always does,” he said.

Haney’s role as school disciplinarian was not always a comfortable fit for the vice principal. “I did not like having to be in a position where I had to correct students,” he said. “It was the right thing to do but I did not really care for it. I also did not like students damaging their future and careers,”

Students, teachers and administrators all earned Haney’s respect in the 3 years he has been at Blaine High School. “The students here are outstanding,” he said. “The students show compassion, great care and support. Some go to school and hold down jobs. The kids are limitless in creativity. Staff are master teachers. They themselves are caring and go way above their jobs. I have been teaching for 25 years and the staff here is outstanding.”

The move to Edmonds is a return to Haney’s teaching roots. “I spent 23 years in alternative education and I feel comfortable,” he said. “The opportunity arose to be a principal at a very successful alternative school and I am very pleased to work there. It is not that I am going away from Blaine high school but to a new opportunity.”

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