Search For New Waltham Principal Progressing

The search for a new Henry Whittemore Elementary School principal is progressing and school officials hope to hire a new leader by July 1.

The search began recently after former principal Sara Lane suddenly resigned in January. School and city officials have said they can’t issue a detailed explanation because it was a personnel matter. Interim principal Chuck McInnis is currently running the school. 

An 11-member committee this week was scheduled to interview nine candidates for the job and hopes to narrow the pool to around three soon, according to Waltham Public Schools Interim Human Resource Administrator George Frost. Waltham Public Schools Superintendent Susan Nicholson will then interview the finalists and likely take them on tours of the school. according to Frost.

Three parents, James Fitzgerald Elementary School Principal Robert LaRoche, district K-12 Reading Director Nancy Coppolino and six other school district staff are on the committee, Frost said.

After a principal is chosen, Frost said, the district will have to negotiate a work contract. The district is aiming to have the new principal work around 250 days each year, 35 more than most district principals currently work, Frost said. Overall, the district is looking to turn each principal position into a 250 day-per year position, in line with many other local districts, he said.