MHS Principal Search Under Way

The School Committee announced last night that the subcommittee involved in the new principal search has been formed and is having its first meeting on Friday.

The subcommittee is made up of Mansfield parents, school committee members, department heads and school administrators. There are 11 people on the committee, which is chaired by co-principal Teresa Murphy.

When the committee announced they needed parents for the subcommittee, Superintendent Brenda Hodges said that over 15 parents voiced their interest in volunteering. She said that parents were chosen based on their experience in education and parenting.

"What we looked for were people who had varied experiences," she said. "(For example) parents that had more than one child, maybe someone that had been at different levels (in the educational system), or someone who had children in extracurricular activities. We tried to look at the different activities that [the parents] may have been involved in as well, and tried to select two that would bring different things to the table. We tried to get a cross section."

Out of the 40 plus applicants for the principal position, Hodges said that 15 of those had the qualifications and background they were looking for. The subcommittee will also look at the other applicants as well who did not meet the criteria stated by the committee.

“Our first meeting will be on Friday and we will be looking at the candidates and selecting candidates for interviews,” she said.

In the principal search, Hodges said that the subcommittee is having at least one interview on Wednesday, June 22, and will be handing the name or names of their recommendations for further interviewing. She said they are in the final stages of the selection process.