ELLENSBURG – The Ellensburg School District voted unanimously Tuesday morning to enter into contract negotiations with Paul Farris, the current assistant superintendent.

School board chairwoman Anita Boyum said the board has met twice to go over Farris’ qualifications following meetings with community members and staff.

The board will start contract negotiations in executive session at the Wednesday meeting. They will have two other matters to discuss in that executive session. An employee complaint and the teacher’s union concerns over the upcoming school calendar will also be discussed during that closed session.

Farris, who has a PhD., has worked for the Ellensburg School District since 2001, when he came here from the Richland School District, where he had worked as assistant high school principal.

Farris is the only candidate the board has formally considered for the superintendent position. The district’s current superintendent, John Glenewinkel, has accepted a superintendent position with the East Valley School District in Spokane, starting July 1.

Farris, 49, was principal of Ellensburg High School from 2001-2006 and has been assistant superintendent since 2006. He earned his doctorate in education administration from Washington State University in 2005. He earned his superintendent certification from WSU in 2003.

Farris and his wife, Patty, have three children.

In Tuesday’s early morning study session, the board also reviewed a survey Farris designed that will go out to parents seeking their opinion on early release or late start in order for teachers to engage in staff development.

The district wants school either started two hours later or released two hours earlier during 20 days of the school year, about once a week. Teachers would use the time for staff development and the district says the program wouldn’t be continued if it doesn’t contribute to improved teaching and learning.

In the survey, parents would be asked if they preferred starting later, about 10:30 a.m. or released earlier, about 1 p.m., on days when there is staff development.

They will be asked which day of the week they prefer and to choose a statement which describes how they feel about the district changing scheduling.

“I expect the surveys will go out this week,” said Farris.

The board also discussed how they would replace board member Tom Leahey, who will resign before the school year is out. He and his wife are moving to New York.

Leahey is director of District 3, and replacement candidates must live in that district. The board is soliciting letters of interest and will appoint a member to replace Leahey, whose term expires in 2009.