Homer High School Principal Douglas Waclawski is set to retire at the end of this school year. He served 18 years as a principal in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, 15 of which were spent at HHS.

Waclawski said in an interview with the Homer News on Thursday, May 1, that he’s watched at least 1,000 students graduate during his time at HHS and has spent at least 2,000 mornings outside, welcoming students into the building for the day. During his tenure, the high school underwent several large projects, including a roof replacement in 2023 and an upgrade to artificial turf at the Homer High School football field.

In a March 2025 newsletter announcing his retirement, Waclawski listed some of the things he’s most proud of during his tenure at Homer High, including helping the school earn recognition as a Top School or Silver Award recipient from U.S. News & World Report for 12 years; ranking among the Top 5 Schools in Alaska for 10 years; securing 15 state championships and over 15 state runner-up titles in athletics; consistently ranking among the top-performing schools in state testing for schools with 20-plus students; producing 14 National Merit Scholars; achieving an average graduation rate of over 92%; supporting an award-winning arts program; and developing one of the top Advanced Placement programs in the country.

Waclawski said during his interview that he is perhaps most proud of the welcoming culture he has created at the school. He has always approached discipline as an opportunity for “learning and improving behavior” and said he’s been a collaborative leader in his time as principal.

“We have a great staff, I try to develop leaders. I have three staff members who are principals now in other buildings. I want everybody — students and staff — to leave this building better than when they entered it.”

Attending students see Waclawski daily, standing on the steps by the entrance to the school or in the parking lot, rain or shine, snow or springtime, waving and warmly saying good morning to everyone. This accessibility has created a culture of positivity, openness, and respect at Homer High School, something he said he hopes will carry on after his retirement in the students he has worked with.

In the March newsletter announcing his retirement, Waclawski said that although he is “saddened to say goodbye,” Homer will always be in his heart, and he’s excited to begin the next chapter of his life, including spending time with his new grandchild. In May, he said he and his wife plan to stay in Alaska.