Schools

Marotta Set to Start at McCall this September

Ralph "Skip" Marotta is ready to bring his 30 years of educational experience to McCall as its Interim Principal

McCall Middle School may have a new principal this year, but at least Ralph "Skip" Marotta is someone that the students and parents are familiar with.

Marotta will be taking over for long time principal Evander French who retired at the end of last year. Marotta will be one of four new principals in Winchester this coming fall.

"It is unusual to have so much turnover," said Superintendent William McAlduff. "But I'm looking at this as an opportunity. It's a change in leadership, but this change has the potential to bring new ideas to the school system."

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The now former Assistant Principal is entering his sixth year at McCall. For the time being Marotta will be designated as the Interim Principal. McAlduff hopes to have a permanent decision on the position sometime in January or February. And that person will start the following year.

"This is an opportunity for me to continue the fine work we've done here," Marotta said. "We have a terrific staff and well-trained, committed students."

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Marotta did not initially apply for the vacant position. The search committee had narrowed the finalists down to three when McAlduff decided, at that time, decided not to hire a long-term employee and asked Marotta if he wouldn't mind filling in for the year.

Marotta decided that it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"This will be a new challenge for me," Marotta said. "I'm at the point in my career where it's the right time and place. And I enjoy being here; I enjoy coming to work. I live in the community and my family grew up here. I was honored to be asked and I'm pleased to accept."

Before coming to McCall, Marotta was an Assistant Principal in Medford for eight years. The school district also saw Marotta devote two decades of his life teaching middle and high school American History.

The goal for Marotta this year is to make this transition as smooth as possible for the faculty, staff, students and teachers at McCall.

"I want to maintain the excellent educational program we have here," Marotta said. "We also have an extensive after-school program here, which is another way to engage the kids. We want to provide them with an opportunity to grow and develop and do the things they're interested in. My job is to continue their improvement."

As far as the interim status goes, Marotta is fine with it, and has yet to decide whether or not he'll apply for the long-term position.

"This is a very successful school," Marotta said. "We have a very good educational structure here and we're going to try and continue that. Right now, I'm just focused on preparing for the upcoming school year and getting ready to face my new challenge."


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