Schools

Interim Principal Sought for William Mason

Superintendent: 'I'm hopeful that we'll get someone by next week.'

Superintendent Dr. Paul Fried said at Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting that he hopes to have an interim principal in place at William Mason Elementary School by "early next week."

"I am looking for an interim principal to take the place of Dr. Stephaine Adams who is on leave at this point," he said. "We're looking for the interim principal to begin there as soon as possible."

Fried said he had been speaking with candidates and that "we have some good prospects."

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"I'm hopeful that we'll get someone by next week," he said.

Adams began her leave of absence on Friday, Oct. 1. Parents at the school were notified by a letter dated Sept. 30. The letter stated that Adams had shared her intentions with faculty and staff before taking leave.

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Fried said that, at this time, it is not known how long the yet-to-be-named interim principal's tenure at William Mason would be.

"Long term, we don't know," he said. "[Permanent placement] is always a possibility. Interim means someone will fill for a period of time. We may be looking for someone full time."

In Adams' absence, Fried, along with Assistant Superintendent Dr. Beth Godett and Karen Chase, supervisor of curriculum and instruction, have been spending time in the elementary school in an informal, administrator-by-committee system.

"I want to reassure everyone that, between Beth, myself and Karen, we are making frequent visits to William Mason," he said. "We are, in fact, in the building, walking through classrooms, seeing teachers and making sure things are running well."

Fried commended the faculty and staff of William Mason, saying he was "very pleased with the way that [faculty and staff] are meeting the needs of these children at this point."

Susan Arena, co-president of William Mason home and school, praised Fried for being in the building, saying that students had taken notice, and that such hands-on approaches are beneficial to the children.

"My kids came home and said that they met you today," she said. "The kids are seeing you in the school and I think they appreciate having someone in the building to help through this transition. "

The Board of Education's next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 26 at the Montville Township High School cafeteria.


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