Schools
UPDATED: Fuller Middle Principal Announces She Plans To 'Explore' Other Opportunities
Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott hired Sharon Seyller in May 2013.
Originally posted at 4:45 p.m. Monday, March 7. Updated for the Tuesday newsletter.
Fuller Middle School Principal Sharon Seyller announced Monday afternoon, in an email to parents, she plans to "explore" other opportunities. She told staff the same news immediately after school ended on Monday.
"I am writing to update you that I have been approached by other school districts about leadership positions for the next school year. After further discussion with my family, I have decided to explore these opportunities and will be interviewing with them at their request in the very near future. I wanted you to hear it directly from me first," wrote Seyller.
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Seyller, who was hired in 2013, has been under fire by some parents for a lack of communication and transparency at the Framingham public middle school for students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
"I am aware of the struggles we have had at Fuller and I have and will continue to work diligently to address those challenges. I appreciate your active involvement and engagement to help Fuller become the best school it can be," wrote Seyeller.
Find out what's happening in Framinghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In November and December, there were multiple reports of aggressive behavior by seventh graders at Fuller Middle.
A BB gun was found in the school, and one student was assaulted and hospitalized.
In January, more than 70 parents attended a forum with Seyeller on the increase of “physical aggression” at the Framingham school. Parents said they were frustrated with the lack of communication and transparency.
In February, a student was found with a knife at the middle school. Since then, there have also been a couple of fights and more "aggressive behavior" at the school.
Just last week to improve communication, Seyller began writing a daily newsletter to staff and parents.
Since February, central office has been holding private meetings with Fuller PTO leadership.
Between, August 25 2015 and March 2, 2016, Framingham Police said they were called to 31 Flagg Drive, the address at Fuller Middle School, 39 times. Of those calls, 25 required a police officer to file a report.
Some of the calls were for alarms or a motor vehicle crash, but others were for fights, a juvenile problem, or required the school resource officer to conduct an investigation.
There were 2 reported assaults and 8 fights to Framingham Police. (A copy of the log incidents is attached to this report.)
In January, school administration said about 5 percent of the school’s 450-plus students was causing the "aggressive behavior" disruptions or about 24 students.
Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott hired Seyller, a Natick resident, in May of 2013. She was the only finalist for the position.
A search committee in 2013 had identified two finalists but John Harutunian, the assistant principal at Adams Middle School in Holliston, took a job as principal of Oak Hill Middle School in Newton in April 2013.
Seyller was given a 3-year contract, and started as Principal in Framingham on July 1, 2013.
Prior to coming to Framingham she was the assistant principal at the Fowler School in Maynard, then a level 2 school. Fuller is a level 3 school, which the state considers low performing. Level 1 is considered top performing.
Seyller replaced Principal Juan Rodriguez, who announced in Dec. 2012 he would be retiring.
Rodriguez moved to a central office position immediately after announcing his retirement. Rodriquez, was the 2005 Massachusetts Middle School Principal of the year.
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Framingham Patch photo of Seyller from 2013 when she was hired.
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