“After watching John DeForest work as the South Whidbey Intermediate School interim principal for a year, a school district staff selection committee decided last week that it liked what it saw, choosing him as its top candidate for a permanent spot at the school’s helm.Picked from a pool of 14 applicants, DeForest was scheduled to officially become the school’s principal at the South Whidbey School Board’s meeting Tuesday night. DeForest will replace former Intermediate School principal Patty Toombs, who resigned last spring. Prior to being named interim principal at the intermediate school, DeForest worked for two years as Bayview High School’s director.Lisa Bjork, South Whidbey’s superintendent and a member of the selection committee, said DeForest stood out from among four finalists. DeForest has 22 years of experience as an educator in addition to his 10 years of private sector work in the financial industry. That experience made him the hands down favorite, Bjork.It was a combination of the variety of experiences he’s had in the education community and the business world and his personal qualities, Bjork said.Those personal qualities have earned him the respect of students and teachers at both the Intermediate School and at Bayview High School. Bjork said DeForest is the type of administrator who leads from the middle, never leaving his staff behind when making decisions.He’ll be a great leader, Bjork said.DeForest himself said although he will miss the students and staff at Bayview, he has found himself enjoying his work in the larger school.I like the challenge of a larger staff, DeForest said.Chances are good that the school board will approve the administration’s recommendation. Board president Jim Adsley said he cannot see any reason not to hire DeForest full time.I could say a lot of things that impress me about John, Adsley said. It’s going to happen.DeForest earned his bachelor’s degree in education at Souther Oregon State University. He received a master’s degree in education at Central Washington University.”