Shanna Northway announced as new GUHS Principal

By Logan Bagett on Friday, November 22nd, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

JOHN DAY – (Press Release in full by Grant School District #3)

Grant School District #3 is excited to announce Shanna Northway as the Principal of Grant Union JR/SR High School. This decision was brought about by the necessary Reduction in Force of one administrator and one confidential employee due to the significant increase in PERS Rates.

Mrs. Northway brings a breadth of experience to her appointment to the Principal role. She has successfully held multiple positions for Grant School District #3, including the VO/AG FFA instructor at Grant Union, lead teacher of the Alternative Education Program, a special education instructor and most recently as the Director of Special Education.

“Mrs. Northway has proven her significant growth over the past 18 months that I have been back to Grant SD #3. She was a key participant in the Strategic Plan, quickly recognizing the value of serving each student in a more individualized manner. She has led the efforts to identify a new testing mechanism which supports the strategic goals of the District by providing real time academic information, which can directly impact current instruction. She has trained a new cohort of special education teachers for the District as well as strong support for our special education instructional aides. Her growth as an instructional leader, passion to continuously learn, strong collaborative leadership style with staff to create positive outcomes for students, and the professional respect she has earned from the staff make her an excellent choice to move Grant Union towards a positive future ,” said Superintendent Mark Witty.

Shanna Northway will remain as the Special Education Director while the District will rely on capable current staff members to manage the daily functions of the Special Education Department.

Board Chair Will Blood stated, “With the difficult decision of cutting an administrative position due to looming PERS liability in the upcoming 25/26 school year, our district is fortunate to have a qualified administrator in Shanna to take the helm and move Grant Union Jr/Sr High School forward in a positive direction. As Chairman of the Board of Directors for the last 18 months, I have watched Shanna make numerous valuable contributions to both our students and staff. Shanna’s strengths, actions and contributions were noticed and recognized by former Principal Jay Hummell and she has the full support of Superintendent Witty, two seasoned school administrators/educators with a combined of over 80 years of experience.”

Board of Directors:

Shanna Northway stated, “I am truly honored to step into the role of Principal at Grant Union Jr/Sr High School. This school and community hold a special place in my heart, and I am excited to continue working alongside our dedicated staff to support and empower every student. While these times bring challenges, I am confident in our collective ability to move forward with resilience and a renewed focus on providing the best opportunities for our students to thrive. I am committed to building a strong foundation and fostering a school environment where every student feels known, empowered, and ready for the world.”