CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A candidate for the Capital High School job admits he’s disappointed he wasn’t hired, but also isn’t bitter. Many community members backed Horace Mann Middle School Principal Jon Anderson for the position at Monday night’s school board meeting, but instead the board chose to hire Larry Bailey, a local native who’s now working at a middle school in Kentucky.
“I am a little disappointed, but I did all I could. I interviewed well and thought the interview process went well,” Anderson told 58-WCHS Radio. “I’m disappointed, but I know God has a plan for me and He’s always taken care of me to this point. Everything happens for a reason and it just wasn’t my time to be at Capital High School and that’s okay. I’m in a great place right now.”
Several members of the public were angered when Anderson was passed over for the job. Some say he’s educated their children at Horace Mann and understands the students and understands the community. Anderson acknowledged all of that is true and he has a passion for the Capital community. He said this was the only high school principal’s job for which he would have applied.
“I’m loyal to the Capital High community. I’ve grown up on the west side and I live in Kanawha City. I love the school and the community,” he said. “A lot of people are interested in moving up just to get into a random principal job at a high school, that’s not the case with me.”
Anderson said he appreciates the community support and backing, but says don’t cry too long for him because he believes he’s still in a position to help shape the Capital community with students from one of its feeder schools.
“Our students have challenges. We have students from very wealthy families and we have students that have financial struggles and this is a great job,” he said. “This is a diverse setting, much like Capital High and this is real world and it teaches kids to live in the real world.”