Hermiston High School Principal Buzz Brazeau is a finalist for a superintendent position in the Central School District.

Monday, he said he applied for the position because it was a good fit, both personally and professionally.

We had an eight-day span in October when we had some really negative things happen to extended family, and we thought we had to get closer to family, the principal said. I had originally let my family know that I had the best principals job in the state of Oregon, so I wouldnt be looking for another principal job. I did feel like I had some desire to be a superintendent, so we searched and found an area that would be the type we would like to live in and would have us closer to family.

The Central School District serves the cities of Monmouth and Independence, as well as the surrounding area. Brazeau said the area is rural, agricultural and very similar to Hermiston.

Brazeau said this is the only position he has applied for.

Its not that Im looking for a job. Im looking for an opportunity. That opportunity would be both professionally and personally, to get us closer to family. This is a position that offers both of those in one place, he said.

The 62-year-old Brazeau has been the principal of Hermiston High School for five years and was recently named the Hermiston School Districts Administrator of the Year. He served as assistant principal at HHS for three years before becoming principal.

Brazeau first interviewed for the Central job two weeks ago and will spend all day Wednesday in the district for the finalist interview process and a public forum. The other finalists for the position are Janelle Beers, of the Dayton School District, and Darryl Smith, of the Madras School District.

If Brazeau is offered the position, he would finish this year in Hermiston and would take over in Central on July 1.

Its been very tough. Its been a very emotional time for my family and myself. Were very entrenched in the Hermiston community as well as the high school, Brazeau said. Its a good match, but if Im not successful this week, Ill still have a good match here in Hermiston.

Brazeau has been active in community affairs in Hermiston. He is a member of the Umatilla County Fair board and was recently named as a member of the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center Authority Board of Directors.