Kennedy principal search narrowed to three finalists

The Cedar Rapids Community School District is one step closer to replacing retiring principal Mary Wilcynski.

Deputy Superintendent Gary O'Malley announced on Thursday that he and Superintendent Dave Benson are interviewing three finalists – Brian Coppess, Aaron Stecker and Jason Kline – to take over as Kennedy High School's top administrator. Coppess is an associate principal at Urbandale High School in Urbandale and Kline is an assistant principal at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C. Stecker works at Kennedy as an associate principal and activities director.

"These outstanding educators are well prepared to serve as your next instructional leader," O'Malley wrote in an email to the high school's staff Thursday morning. "Each candidate has presented a strong case for consideration."

The hiring process has included April visits with Kennedy students, staff and parents. Two other candidates – Cynthia Schneider, principal of World Journalism Preparatory in Queens, N.Y. and Shannon Bucknell, principal of Franklin Middle School in the Cedar Rapids district – have since been eliminated from consideration.

O'Malley's message said that he and Superintendent Benson plan to recommend their choice to succeed Wilcynski, whose contract ends on Sunday, June 30, at the school board's Monday, May 13 regular meeting.