By SCOTT D. JOHNSTON

Facing challenges in several areas, North Beach Jr./Sr. High School now has a new principal who told a gathering of parents, students and community members Monday night that her career has “focused on at-risk populations.”

Cynthia Valdez, the current assistant director of special programs and migrant-bilingual coordinator for the Wenatchee School District, was announced as the new North Beach principal Tuesday morning by Andrew Kelly, the new North Beach School District Superintendent now in his second month on the job.

The new NBHS principal has teaching experience in grades Pre-K to 12, has worked as a middle school assistant principal and elementary principal and district assessment and data coordinator, all in Pasco. She earned her B.A. in 1992 and M.ED. in 1996, both from Eastern Washington University.

Valdez was one of two finalists for the position who participated in a question and answer session Monday evening at the school. The other candidate was Susan Stone, who has been principal at Kitsap Lake Elementary in Bremerton and assistant principal at Chief Leschi Schools (K-12).

Asked how she would measure success in her first year here, Valdez told the 30 or so people at the meeting that “the happiness of students and parents” would be he measure. She explained to the audience that, if she is chosen as principal, her 15-year-old daughter will be attending NBHS, and will certainly offer plenty of comments and critiques.

Valdez said she sought the position for a couple of reasons, one being the opportunity to live near the ocean. “Who wouldn’t want to live here,” she enthused.

Her other motivation was to go back to working directly with students and staff. She noted that she has been involved in developing three nationally recognized programs that deal with aspects of achieving success with at-risk students. “Now I’m ready to get back in with the kids and the teachers.”