Evergreen Elementary School is getting its third new principal in four years, while the district is getting its fourth schools counselor since 2021.

The school board approved both hires at its meeting on July 24; both were hired on one-year contracts.

Cathy Winn is moving to Wrangell from Hot Springs, Arkansas, to start work as elementary school principal.

She has more than 20 years of experience in teaching, academic leadership and student support services, including work as a career coach and elementary school principal.

Winn said she emphasized student safety, instructional leadership and collaborative school improvement initiatives.

She holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and an Arkansas teaching license in reading, elementary education, K-12 building administrator and adult education.

She said in an email that she is passionate about creating supportive learning environments where students can thrive.

The board also approved a contract for Angela Taylor as the school district’s lone counselor.

Taylor began her career as a school counselor in rural Alaska. She later worked overseas as a school counselor and in administration, including as a director of schools (superintendent) in countries in Asia and the Middle East.

She is moving to Wrangell from Kotzebue.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Carroll College, in Helena, Montana, her master of science in education with a school counseling option, and her doctorate in educational leadership from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Taylor said her responsibility as a counselor is to provide leadership, advocacy and collaboration to engage all team members and encourage the delivery of programs and services that help students achieve success.

“It is my job to ensure frequent communication and build a trusting relationship between school and home,” she said in an email. “I model caring, kindness and understanding while building trusting relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the community.”

The board also offered teaching contracts to Madison Blackburn, who will be an elementary teacher, and Daniel Powell, who will teach middle school math.

Blackburn, who taught second grade at Evergreen last year, was not offered a contract for the 2025-2026 school year last spring, due to budget constraints. She was in her second year with the district and lacked tenure. But with a faculty opening at the school, she was brought back.

Elementary teacher Arlene Wilson retired at the end of the school year in May.

Powell is a lifetime Wrangell resident. He attended Southwestern Oregon Community College before transferring to the University of Alaska Southeast, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education. He student-taught in Craig before returning to Wrangell, where he worked as a long-term substitute in kindergarten at Evergreen Elementary School.

Most recently, Powell has been working as a charter boat captain for Alaska Waters.

He replaces middle school teacher Matt Nore, who left this summer to work as a Wrangell police officer.

In other action July 24, the school board approved a renegotiated student transportation contract with Taylor Transportation. The three-year school bus contract includes a 5% increase for the 2025-2026 school year over the previous contract, followed by a 4% increase for each of the two subsequent years.