Four New Principals to Begin in September

It's something William McAludff Jr. agrees is unusual. He doesn't recall seeing it in all his years in education, include the past four spent as Winchester's superintendent.

Few school districts can relate to the transition that Winchester is going through. Not many have had to replace half their principals by the start of the following school year. But that's what Winchester is forced to do, as McAlduff needs to replace four of the seven principals in the district.

"I agree this is pretty unusual," McAlduff said. "But I'm approaching this with a positive view. Just because it's change doesn't mean it's bad. New people can bring in new ideas."

Two of the principals – Guido Sabelli (Vinson-Owen) and Evander French (McCall Middle School) are retiring – while Lisa McManus (Ambrose) and Dr. Stephen Goodwin Jr. (Lynch) have taken similar positions in other school districts.

"The thing is, principals retire and some of the principals have been here for a long time," McAlduff said. "It's important to remember that these people weren't unhappy here. People leave for a lot of different reasons, some what a new challenge and need a change."

As of now, the Search Advisory Committee (SAC) and McAlduff appointed Christine Kelley the new principal of Lynch. Barbara Manfredi, a former Lexington principal, came out of retirement to accept an interim position at Ambrose. And at the middle school, longtime Assistant Principal Ralph "Skip" Marotta was also given the interim designation.

McAlduff plans to have a decision on a final middle school principal by January, and a choice for Lynch should come a month later. A decision for a permanent or interim principal at Vinson-Owen will come sometime in the near future as Sabelli isn't retiring until after the school year begins, most likely sometime at the end of September, according to McAlduff.

Marotta, who didn't originally apply for the principal position at McCall, sees the interim tag as a benefit to the parents of Winchester.

"The interim position gives the superintendent and the Search Committee an opportunity to get the best leadership possible," Marotta said. "This is a great long-term investment for Winchester."

Marotta didn't give any indication if he would like to be the long-term principal for McCall.

"I'm just going to take it one year at a time," Marotta said. "I want to get through this year first. I hope to learn a lot and I'm pleased to be here. I'm looking forward to this opportunity."

Going forward with this school year, McAlduff is confident that the people in place are the right people to lead the Winchester through this time of transition.

"A change in leadership is always difficult," McAlduff said. "There's certainly a comfort level parents and students had with these principals, but this is an opportunity for us to improve. And the people we have in place, I am confident, can continue the success we've had in the school district."