From teacher to assistant principal to athletic director to interim principal, Atanes has stayed the course

Ashland.news staff report

Ashland School Board members are in agreement with Ashland Superintendent Joseph Hattrick’s recommendation to extend Ashland High School Principal Francisco Lopez Atanes’ one-year contract to the 2026-27 school year, though his contract will be a “multi-year” contract, according to Hattrick.

“This will be a permanent appointment — we hope he will be here for many years!” said Rebecca Dyson, chair of the school board, in a text message with Ashland.news.

Ashland School Board members voted to approve his continued appointment last week during a virtual work session Thursday evening. The process to select a principal started in November, with seven applicants and two finalists. Atanes has served as interim principal of Ashland High School for the 2025-2026 school year, providing what Hattrick called “steady, thoughtful leadership during an important period for our school.”

Dyson said the board saw “very strong support” for Atanes from members of a committee of staff and students who reviewed both final candidates. 

“Francisco has excelled during his year as interim principal, has wide support from the AHS community and is a great fit for the culture and future of the district,” Dyson said.

Hattrick echoed her sentiments in a letter sent out to parents.

“Francisco brings a depth and breadth of experience to this role, having served as a teacher, athletic director, online principal, and assistant principal,” Hattrick said in the letter. 

“His commitment to students, collaborative leadership style, and alignment with our district’s vision position him well to lead Ashland High School into its next chapter,” Hattrick added. “On behalf of the Ashland School District, I want to sincerely thank everyone who participated in this process — especially our students, staff, families, and hiring committee members. Your engagement and thoughtful input were essential, and they continue to strengthen our schools and our community.   

Hattrick said the selection of a high school principal is one of the most important decisions the board makes as a district. 

“For that reason, this process was intentionally designed to be inclusive, transparent, and deeply informed by the voices of our students, staff, families, and community,” Hattrick said.  “Beginning in early November, we convened a diverse hiring committee made up of district leaders, Ashland High School staff, parents, and students.” 

The committee guided the selection process from start to finish, Hattrick said. 

“To ensure broad community input, staff, students, and families were invited to share their perspectives through surveys and invited to a community listening session,” Hattrick said. “The feedback gathered helped the committee identify the leadership qualities and priorities most important to our community and directly informed the interview questions and evaluation criteria used throughout the process. The principal position was posted locally, statewide, and nationally to attract a strong and diverse candidate pool. Following the close of the application window, candidates were screened for qualifications and then carefully reviewed by the hiring committee using a standardized rubric aligned with district goals and the community-developed criteria.  

“Selected candidates participated in multiple rounds of interviews, the first round of which was conducted by the hiring committee. The committee identified two finalists, including an individual outside the district and Atanes, before engaging with Ashland High School staff, families, and students through forums and meetings.” 

Feedback from these stakeholder sessions was gathered and thoughtfully considered, Hattrick said. 

Finalists also participated in individual interviews as a final step in the process.  

Prior to his roles in education, Atanes, who has a Juris Doctorate degree, served as an attorney in Spain, as previously reported by Ashland.news. He also taught Constitutional Law.  

“Ashland High School is my home,” Atanes told Ashland.news in September 2025 during an interview in his office on campus. “If I’m being asked to help, I’ll never say ‘no.’

“I will do my best with whatever role I am entrusted with,” he added. “With the community, with the teachers — we are in this together.”

Reach Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth at [email protected].

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