<p>A high school principal in the Bronx, a middle school principal in Ipswich, and a former principal in Maine have been named finalists in the search for the next principal.</p>
A high school principal in the Bronx, a middle school principal in Ipswich, and a former principal in Maine have been named finalists in the search for the next principal of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
The superintendent hopes to name a new principal in early February, assistant superintendent Richard Smith said in a press statement, following high school visits from each of the three finalists.
The final candidates emerged after eight semi-finalists were interviewed over the last month. They are Sara Dingledy, the principal of Westchester Square Academy in the Bronx and former assistant head master of the Brooklyn Latin School; David Fabrizio, the principal of Ipswich Middle School in Ipswich and former assistant principal at North Andover Middle School; and David Williams, former principal of York Middle School in York, Maine and former assistant principal at Newmarket High School in Newmarket, N.H.
Mr. Smith said in a press release that the candidates were seen as exciting choices to lead the high school, which has gone through a period of turnover in the principal’s office. Former principal Gil Traverso resigned his post in early August after less than a year on the job. This year, former longtime high school principal Margaret (Peg) Regan has been serving as interim principal.
A search committee consisting of school committee members, school staff, parents, and other Island stakeholders and community members narrowed the search down to the three finalists after an application period began in September. Twenty applications were reviewed.
The three finalists will now visit the high school and meet with staff, students, parents and community members. Mr. Fabrizio will visit on Wednesday, Jan. 13, Mr. Williams on Thursday, Jan. 14, and Ms. Dingledy will be at the school on Friday, Jan. 15.
With feedback from the school and community, superintendent Matthew D’Andrea will narrow down the number of finalists, Mr. Smith said, and then Mr. D’Andrea and others will visit those candidates’ current or former schools before making a final choice.
Mr. Smith said details about the visits and community feedback will be available later, and the search committee’s interviews with the finalists will be airing on MVTV’s public access channel 15 over the next three weeks.
Comments
Do we not learn? Off
Abby Normal The RockDo we not learn? Off islanders again? If married and the spouse does not move here on day one, consider the candidate gone after a short period of time. It seems strange to me that we can not recruit or promote some one from this island. To me, that is a failure of the school system to not groom the next candidate. Generally the assistant principal moves up. What is wrong with the model? Are they not qualified? What does that say? Hopeful, but reticent
I agree with many of the
Julie robinson West TisburyI agree with many of the comments. First there must be an islander who is qualified who already lives on island to take the position. Second if you do hire someone from off island their contract should state that if they leave before a set time that there would be neither a bonus nor a relocation fee.
When will the school
Ish N CarolinaWhen will the school committee learn and hire someone with island roots or who already lives on the island and has been settled on it for some time. Don't get burned again by someone who wants to come to the island and then realizes it's not what they had imagined. Put a clause in their contract so if they leave before 5 years then their relocation fee and sign on bonus is returned.
The kids are ultimately the ones who get burned with the constant changing of the administration.
The parents just pay for it in many different ways.
Nope, we haven't learned over
BFNope, we haven't learned over my lifetime...and that's been awhile.
It isn't just the school, we have done the same in many areas over the years!!
It is hard to believe that we don't have a single person on this Island who could serve us as principal !!
This article is well written.
Gary B.D. MVThis article is well written.
Sara Dinglegy is my pick,
Very Annoyed Vineyard HavenSara Dinglegy is my pick, because I knew the other guy would not have stayed. The school cannot pick the right people. These are the people who are suppose to give a balance budget for public review. Google the other two, and you will see why.
Put stipulations in her
Ish N CarolinaPut stipulations in her contract that if she leaves for another job off island within 5 years she returns 100% of her relocation fee and signing bonus
very good suggestion. This is
MV Windvery good suggestion. This is quite a common practice in the business world.
In reply to Annoyed, my pick
June Manning AquinnahIn reply to Annoyed, my pick would be for Sara Dingledy as well. In less than three minutes, Google gave me the information needed on the other two applicants. Contracts should be goal-oriented as otherwise the lucrative benefits packages offered will breed complancency. When will we ever learn. We are not that desperate to hire someone for a certain position. It is unfortunately a revolving door. Have seen this occur often over the past half a century.
You have to have a carrot and
Paulli D EdgartownYou have to have a carrot and a stick. If they leave before their contract ends return the relocation fee. If they stay then they get a incentive.
After this one is picked the school committee should look into creating a succession plan from within making sure that candidates have the right credentials.
I do not have children, but
James F. WTI do not have children, but if I did and they were in this school system I would be more than angry. What does it say about our "community" that we can't have faith in someone from the community? Like many situations here, it is funny but sad (as Lily Tomlin would say.) WHY would you expect someone who doesn't know the challenges, the economics, the housing situation, and the general flipflopping on issues on this island to want to stay here, no matter how dedicated they are to their career? The glitter and glamour of liberal celebrity land wears down quickly once reality rears its conservative head. There are fine candidates here already. HIRE ONE PLEASE and save the school system the embarrassment.
Perhaps where there's no
Barrett Hodges TisburyPerhaps where there's no smoke there's no fire, i.e. The island, contrary to opinion above, is not swimming in administrative in-house talent. Who are these outstanding locals? Names, please.
My own opinion and thought is
James F. WTMy own opinion and thought is that Elliott Bennett would be a fine choice, but she may not be interested in the position. Island parents and taxpayers deserve someone who is committed to being here, instead of wasting time, energy and money on searches for people who won't stay. It has happened too many times here for school and non-school positions. Admittedly hard to predict this, but I'm surprised that the search committee doesn't see the red flags that are often thrust in their face. I don't travel in the education circles here, so I honestly can't vouch for people's level of talent in administrative positions. I would just like to see some sense of commitment from someone, so parents and students will have some faith in the school system.
Kudos for coming up
Barrett Hodges TisburyKudos for coming up
with a specific name and not just making vague pronouncements. I've been nonplussed with educational administrators for years- it seems that ambition and glib talk, not cream, rises to the top.
The final three couldn't even
Concerned Junior parentThe final three couldn't even contain a previous or current high school principal? The powers that be have made some very poor decisions in the past couple of years. Let's hope they are not making another one. I was truly hoping Mr. D'Andrea would cease the naploianistic rule that Weiss enjoyed. Please, Mr D'Andrea, make a decision for the good of our children, not a puppet for you to control.
2 out of the 3 are current
Barrett Hodges Tisbury2 out of the 3 are current principals. So far only one specific name on these postings from this supposed bursting roster of in-house talent.
This is a very good point. I
Jack Oak BluffsThis is a very good point. I do not understand why someone who had actually been a high school principal was not a finalist. I also do not understand why new hires are paid at the same salary as the person they are replacing, irregardless of experience. Certainly the next principal then, that does not have high school principal experience should not be paid more than the interim or the former principal.
They are middle school
ConcernedThey are middle school principals, not high school. Again, I ask is this the best we can do?
Come on folks. Let's try to
Optimistic VHCome on folks. Let's try to have some faith in the committee (not just the Superintendent) that is making the decision. I believe that they look hard at every applicant and find the best candidates they can. I imagine the pool is not huge, for the reasons many of you mentioned. It is not easy to relocate to this island. And I am also trusting that If there truly were qualified local candidates, who actually want the job (which I imagine is insanely difficult) then I doubt very much they are being passed over. However, these are just my hunches. How can anyone judge, when we are not on the committee??
I am a retired secondary
Fred-Connecticut Summer renter for 35 yearsI am a retired secondary school principal with 35 years in education. I now supervise graduate students going for their masters in education. I do not believe I heard anyone say that you hire the the most QUALIFIED and CERTIFIED person for the position. Limiting where a person lives as a qualification for the job does not often yield the BEST candidate. Hire the BEST candidate.
Unfortunately some excellent
Barrett Hodges TisburyUnfortunately some excellent people have packed their bags after brief stints heading island schools due to the obstinacy of entrenched constituencies who made life unnecessarily difficult. It's erroneous to criticize these soon-departed individuals for packing their bags when the crab apples in the ranks get a free pass.
I have watched all three
Marge Harris Oak BluffsI have watched all three interviews and they only validated my firm belief in Dave Williams as the next Principal of our high school. Yes I have taught at the high school for 27 years. Yes, I, too, was an off islander as was Greg Scotten, Jim Weiss and most of my faculty colleagues and so, I am NOT one to say that we have to have an islander....in fact, islanders in my history were those folks born here so that was a limited group! No, we need to pick the BEST candidate and we can't guarantee that they will stay here but in most cases they have! I have been a parent, a faculty member, an active community member and currently a grandmother and folks, hear me....most of the educators have stayed! Yes, in the last few years we have had a few renegades but the overall big picture has been one of folks coming to stay! So let's look at the BEST candidate and to me, after watching the interviews is Dave Williams. In our household, we watched all three interviews (even though we already knew Dave Williams) but
at the end of all of them, I was ready to come out of retirement so that I could work with this man. He is blue collar, real, genuine and committed to STAYING on this island. He is the best and I am so impressed that we have such a worthwhile candidate. Watch the
interviews and decide for yourself! Marge Harris, social studies teacher for 27 years and then 4 years as Asst Supt!
You are correct, Dave
Kim White Kennebunkport, MEYou are correct, Dave Williams was my daughters principal, and he was an excellent one!
He inspired passion and excitement in both staff and students and created an atmosphere of growth and positivity that extended throughout the community. He relates beautifully to students, your entire community will be better with him!
There is no best candidate
ConcernedThere is no best candidate for the high school. There is only what's best for the superintendent and his cronies. It seems Mr. D'Andrea learned his lessons well from Mr. Weiss on how to manipulate and fool the people of this community. No matter who is chosen, it will be "Business as usual". Shame on all who had a part in it.
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