We are beginning the process of selecting a new principal for the Hildreth Elementary School (HES). For the current school year we are grateful to have the leadership of Ms. Suzanne Mahoney, who is postponing her retirement to serve in the interim position through June 2011.
In our system, the elementary principal must be both a skilled manager and a talented educator. As a manager, the principal supervises a broad spectrum of professional educators and support staff. The complexity of state regulations, local policies, and growing compliance and accountability requirements require an individual who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and a good financial manager. As an educational leader, the principal must first and foremost be someone who understands excellent instruction. S/he must be able to hire exceptional teachers, develop and evaluate staff, help forge consensus among various stakeholders, and provide a focused vision as we move forward to meet the goals of our strategic plan. Our new principal must be highly knowledgeable regarding current educational research and best instructional practices. Most importantly, the principal needs to be a tireless advocate for students.
The process and projected timeline we will be using to hire a new principal is as follows:
- October: Select screening committee; hold community and faculty forums to identify desired characteristics and skills; advertise nationally.
- November: Screening committee reviews applications and selects semi-finalists.
- December: Screening committee conducts interviews and selects three to five finalists.
- January: Finalists visit Harvard and meet with the school faculty, school council, and hold a public interview. Possible site visits to candidates’ districts; superintendent will make final selection and appointment.
We are seeking broad representation from the school community for the screening committee. At a minimum, we plan to include representatives from the Hildreth faculty and district administration, the school council, parents-at-large, and a member of the Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC). While we are not including any elementary students on the screening committee, we will have a chance for students to meet the finalists during the district visit.
Faculty members and parents who are interested in serving on this screening committee should communicate to me prior to Oct. 15, when I’ll finalize the composition of the group. My e-mail address is tjefferson@psharvard.org.
I look forward to the process ahead and am confident we can recruit an exceptional leader to help guide HES to even greater heights in the years to come.
Thomas W. Jefferson
Superintendent of Harvard Public Schools
