By: Renae Brown

   Dr. Wayne Porter is resigning as headmaster of TPA after ten years of dedicated service.  

   His choice to resign is motivated by his desire to help TPA excel. He said, “I told the board when they hired me: I’m just here to try and help Tempe Prep be the best school it can be, and I feel like I have succeeded in that.” After Dr. Porter has dedicated everything to this school, he now feels that someone else would be better suited to lead TPA into the future. 

   Dr. Porter does not plan to retire yet. Although he is not yet sure what his plans for the future are, he does plan to continue to work, potentially as a math teacher or even in a field completely unrelated to education. 

   The Board of Directors, the local government for the school that handles policy, administration, and more, has chosen a committee to direct the hiring process for a new headmaster. Board members Melissa DeLaney, Ben Hurlbut, Lance Smaw and Agata Steenken, as well as teachers Dr. Salcido and Mr. Cady, will form the search committee. The board has elected to utilize an outside firm to expedite the hiring process, namely Arcadia Education. 

   The Board is also hiring a new Athletic Director. 

   The latest community guessing game: who will be the next headmaster? It could be someone from TPA, Dr. Porter says, such as Mrs. Magana. However, in order to be as fair and inclusive as possible, the Board will be considering applicants from both inside and outside of TPA, so it is a mystery who the next headmaster will be. 

   That said, if students would like to stay up to date on what goes on in Board meetings, they can find notes known as minutes on the TPA website under “Governance,” which is found under “About Us.”

   In general, the headmaster’s job includes everything one could possibly do with a school, from answering phones and greeting people to hiring faculty and working with state agencies.

   Dr. Porter has loved working at TPA. He said, “I’ve given 100% – doesn’t mean I haven’t made mistakes, but I’ve done my best… I think the school is in great shape, and I’m pleased to have been a part of that.” 

   Wish Dr. Porter well as he finishes up his stay at TPA, and for his future.