BPS Names Interim Boston Latin Head Master

Boston, MA - Michael Contompasis will step into the fray at Boston Latin School, helming the troubled institution on a temporary basis after its top two leaders' abrupt resignation.

Contompasis is former BLS headmaster, BPS chief operating officer and BPS superintendent. He is himself a Boston Latin graduate. Also named Tuesday was new associate headmaster Jerry Howland, and new instructional superintendent Alexandra Montes McNeil, tasked with directing support on instruction, hiring and budget.

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang and Mayor Marty Walsh announced the interim appointments at City Hall Tuesday, flanked by local leaders and Boston Latin alumni. By reaching backward to select Contompasis, officials are seeking to bring stability after another week of controversy for the nation's oldest public school.

BLS saw both its headmaster and assistant headmaster resign in the wake of racism complaints and alleged civil rights violations. On Friday, the Boston Globe reported that a review by school investigators deemed administrators mishandled "several racially charged incidents."

Officials Tuesday repeatedly stressed that the interim appointments and ongoing search process for a replacement are steps toward putting those issues behind them.

"The healing begins today," Walsh said. "We are addressing the concerns. This is not lingering on."

Some parents and Boston Latin instructors rallied last week to protest the resignation of Headmaster Lynne Mooney Teta and Assistant Headmaster Malcolm Flynn. Asked by reporters whether the door was still open for their return, Walsh said succinctly, "We've moved beyond that."

Even as Walsh and Chang stressed the need to move forward, they cast their line backward to reel in the interim leader - and purposefully so, they said. Contompasis' long history with the school system and Boston Latin is meant to safeguard what officials called the "consistency of educational rigor."

"That's how you move forward - stability," Walsh said, "We will learn from the past and make Boston Latin School even greater."

The search for a replacement will reach for candidates nationally, as well as internally. Despite the local tumult and concern, Walsh stressed the position of headmaster is "highly coveted," and will attract many candidates.

Officials hope to name a full-time replacement headmaster by March of 2017, and begin the leadership transition before the end of the school year.

Due to a family commitment, Contompasis could not be present at the press briefing Tuesday, officials said. Instead, Chang read aloud from the following statement:

"I thank Superintendent Chang for providing me this wonderful opportunity to lead an institution which is such an important part of who I am today. I understand firsthand that we all have a duty to preserve Boston Latin's mission of providing the very best quality of public education. That includes making sure all of our students, faculty, and staff feel safe and supported. I look forward to working closely with the many talented and dedicated individuals at Boston Latin and BPS as we carry this mission forward."

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Patch updated this story at 2:10 p.m.

Photos by Alison Bauter, Patch Staff