District places Walter Chantler as Sequoya interim principal

Walter Chantler, assistant principal at Tavan Elementary School, has been assigned to Sequoya Elementary School as the interim principal, effective Nov. 5. He will transition into the position next week, replacing Michael Helminski who has been on special assignment as the senior administrator on the Sequoya campus while Principal Maureen Booth is on paid administrative leave. Dr. Helminski will return full-time to his job as principal at Kiva Elementary School on Nov. 10.

The action comes as the district prepares for an anticipated hearing in the termination proceedings of Mrs. Booth.

“We appreciate the service of Dr. Helminski and the patience of the Kiva and Sequoya school communities during these past weeks. Anticipating that the appeal process may continue for a period of time, we are placing a full-time senior administrator at the Sequoya campus,” said Don Jefferies, associate superintendent.

“Mr. Chantler was selected for this interim assignment based on his experience as both an assistant elementary school principal in the district for the past three years, and his experience as the director of high school summer school and high school evening school,” Mr. Jefferies said.

Mr. Chantler has a master’s degree in education/administration from the University of Phoenix. His undergraduate degree in elementary education was earned at Northern Arizona University. He also has an ESL (English as a Second Language) endorsement from Arizona State University.

Mr. Chantler has worked for SUSD since 2001, serving as an assistant principal at Tavan and for a short period at Pueblo Elementary School. Prior to joining SUSD, Mr. Chantler was a principal intern at T.J. Pappas Elementary School in Phoenix. He also has been a teacher at the East Valley Middle School in Mesa and at the M.C. Cash Elementary School in Laveen.

“My focus at Sequoya will mirror my focus at every other school I have served: students, and student achievement,” Mr. Chantler said. “I look forward to working as a team with teachers, staff, and parents to help all children grow academically.”

With the placement of Mr. Chantler at Sequoya, his position as assistant principal at Tavan will be posted.
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