By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

FAIRFIELD - Paul Waller will reach one of his goals when he leaves Bridgetown Middle School to become principal at Fairfield Senior High School.

"Oak Hills has been a great place to work. They've put me in a position to accept this job in Fairfield," said Waller, 36, who is ending his second year as Bridgetown's principal.

"I've always wanted to be a high school principal. Fairfield's focus on student learning and building community is in line with my focus."

Fairfield Superintendent Robert Farrell said Waller's experience at Oak Hills High School combined with his experience as a middle school principal were important.

"He is well-respected for fostering a professional learning community, encouraging collaborative thinking, sharing a vision focused on the needs of the individual student and facilitating partnerships within the schools and the community," Farrell said.

Waller was one of two administrators hired Monday at a special Fairfield Board of Education meeting. James Nichols, a building coordinator at Loveland Elementary School, was also hired to become assistant principal at the kindergarten center.

Each received a two-year contract. Waller will earn $92,000 annually. Nichols will earn $60,676 annually.

"The board felt his (Waller) philosophy on education and leadership...was an exact fit," said Anne Crone, school board president. "I think he will bring true unity between the staff, administrators and students. It's a big school and easy to get lost in the shuffle."

For Nichols, the move to Fairfield's kindergarten center will allow him a little bit of time to work one-on-one with some of the children as he tests their skills.

"I love kindergarten - how excited they are about learning. They have no preconceptions about learning," said Nichols, 28, of Sharonville.

For two years Nichols has been a building coordinator at Loveland Elementary. Before that, he spent four years as a third-grade teacher at the school. Nichols has also been a middle school girls' basketball coach and worked at Camp Arrowhead.

E-mail suek@infionline.net