The school district needs stability, Michele Manganaro-Thompson said.
Michele Manganaro-ThompsonLUDLOW – A former School Committee member urged the School Committee to appoint two permanent, rather than interim elementary school principals.
Former School Committee member Michele Manganaro-Thompson said that making the principal positions permanent would contribute to much needed stability in the school district.
“We are in a state of flux and change,” Manganaro-Thompson said. “We need stability.”
The School Committee had considered making the principal appointments interim appointments until a permanent school superintendent is hired.
School Superintendent Theresa M. Kane is leaving July 1 to take the school superintendent job in East Windsor, Conn.
“The interim label sends a message of instability,” Manganaro-Thompson said. “There has been too much inconsistency for kids and families.”
Manganaro-Thompson also had been an opponent of an elementary school reorganization plan implemented by Kane to cut costs which did away with neighborhood elementary schools and which critics said contributed to instability for children and families in the school district.
At Manganaro-Thompson’s urging, the School Committee voted to make the principal appointments permanent, but for one year only. Usually, appointments are made for three years.
In answer to a question from the School Committee, Manganaro-Thompson said she would be willing to serve on a Search Committee to interview to fill the principal positions.
Positions are open at East Street School where Brett Bishop is leaving and at Veterans Park School to replace Susan Dukeshire who will retire in October.
Kane said employees of the Ludlow public schools are invited to apply for the positions.
The Search Committees may go back to the “teaching ranks” to fill the principal positions, Kane said.
She said there are many openings in the area for principal positions.