Cheney High School hires new principal

CHENEY – Two candidates entered the Cheney High School auditorium on Thursday March 24 and one left as it's new principal. On Friday, March 25, Brett Hale was named to replace outgoing principal Troy Heuett after what was described as a rigorous interview process according a press release put out by the Cheney School District.

Hale is touted as having extensive experience in student leadership and support programs. He's spent his career teaching in Washington with stints at as an assistant principal at Rogers High School and a biology teacher in Kennewick and Spokane. Hale got to know Cheney while he was attending Eastern Washington University.

"I could not be more excited about being selected as the next principal of Cheney High School," Hale said in the release. "I am so appreciative of all of the staff, students, and community members who made this such an incredible week for me. Your passion for the school and the school community is inspiring, and it makes me all the more excited to have the opportunity to serve you all! Go Blackhawks!"

Hale beat out Keoni Dang for the job. Dang was a former resident of Cheney who graduated from CHS. He currently works as the principal of Phoenix Union-Wilson College Prep School in Phoenix, Arizona. Before his current role, Dang served as an assistant principal at Alhambra High School, Metro Tech High School, and Betty H. Fairfax High School, and earned his masters of education administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix.

During the public forum, both candidates answered the same set of questions in front of Superintendent Rob Roettger and other members of the Cheney community. Neither candidate got to see the questions before hand and weren't allowed to see each other responses to the questions. Each candidate started their time on stage with a monologue about why their candidacy should be accepted and had two minutes to answer each question.

When Hale was asked why he wanted to be principal of CHS he said, "I know this community and this school have rich traditions with strong community connections and support and that's really important to me. I want to re-energize that and reconnect this community and this school and make this a place where people are excited to send their kids."

Brett Hale is currently an assistant coach principal at Mt. Spokane High School in the Mead School District and will begin his tenure as CHS principal on July 1, 2022.