Finding a new principal for Homer High School takes another step forward tonight when candidates for the position are interviewed, beginning at 5:15 p.m. at the Homer High School library. The public is invited.

Seven individuals formalized their interest in the position by submitting applications before the Monday afternoon deadline, according to Steve Atwater, assistant superintendent for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. The applicants came from within the district, as well as in and out of Alaska.

Prior to this evening, KPBSD administration intends to have the number of applicants narrowed down to three. Supterintendent Donna Peterson will lead the interviews.

"There will be a briefing by (Peterson) on how the process works and the interviews kick off at 5:30 (p.m.)," Atwater said.

Each interview will take approximately 40 minutes with a five-minute break between interviews.

Current HHS Princpal Rayna Duenas caught the administration by surprise when she submitted a letter announcing her resignation May 27, a week after the end of the 2008-2009 school year. According to Duenas, her intent is to continue her own education in pursuit of a career in the legal field.

Recruitment for the principalship was immediately listed on the district's Web site, and the district school board officially accepted Duenas' resignation at its meeting June 1. Peterson met with parents, teachers, staff, site council representatives and members of the public in Homer June 4 to discuss the process for filling Homer High School's top administrative position.

"We've never been through this in June," Peterson said, referring to the late notification by Duenas. "We want to get things moving as quickly as possible."

At the June 4 meeting, the public was encouraged to submit to Peterson the characteristics important for the next HHS principal, priorities of that position and questions to ask candidates during the interviews.

"We did get a fair amount, about 10 comments from the community," Atwater said Tuesday of the response.

During tonight's interviews, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the interviewees in writing.

"The public will be given a form they can use to take notes on and then public comments will be due to (Peterson) 24 hours after the interview," Atwater said. "People have until Friday evening to provide public comments on the three."

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.