UPDATED: Dunning Principal Candidate for King Elementary Principal Post

Dunning Elementary School Principal Kim Taylor is a candidate for the full-time principal position at King Elementary School in Framingham.

Taylor announced she was a candidate to Dunning parents over the weekend.

Hemenway Elementary principal Lucia Laguarda has been splitting time as both Hemenway and King Elementary principal since King opened its doors. Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott named Laguarda as Principal of King in January 2014. Laguarda was hired as Hemenway Elementary Principal in 2010.

The Framingham Public Schools opened King Elementary in August, as the town’s ninth elementary school to deal with overcrowding. The school has a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) focus and has only kindergarten classes this 2014-15 school year. Children at King also learn Mandarin Chinese. The language is not taught at any of the other eight elementary schools.

Next year, King will have both kindergarten and first grade classes. The district plans to add a grade each year until the school is a full K-5 elementary school like the eight other elementary schools in the district.

“With any career, a time arrives when one begins to reflect on areas for growth and professional development. And if we’re fortunate, we are presented with the types of growth opportunities that compel us to pursue them. While I thoroughly enjoy my role here at Dunning, I find myself contemplating just such an opportunity. As such, I am writing to inform you that I am currently a candidate for the full-time principal position at the newly forming King Elementary School. The opportunity presents the type of professional challenge I can’t resist,” wrote Taylor to parents on Saturday, Jan. 24, after 6 p.m.

“After much thought, consultation, and discussion with my family, close colleagues, and central office administrators, I have chosen to pursue it. Please know this is not a decision that was arrived at easily, as Dunning is a school and school community I treasure,” wrote Taylor. ”As the process at King unfolds, I will be sure to keep you all informed as final decisions are made and next steps are determined.”

Tayor filled in as interim principal at Stapleton Elementary School in 2014, after first-year principal Joseph Smith resigned, weeks after he was placed on administrative leave, follow an MCAS issue.

Taylor was hired as principal at Dunning Elementary School in 2009 by then Framingham Superintendent Gene Thayer. She was principal at Douglas Elementary School prior to coming to Framingham. Prior to that she was a teacher at Wilson Elementary in Framingham from 1992 to 2004.

Dunning Elementary is the district only one level 1 elementary school.

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Editor’s Note: The original report published at 2 a.m. said Taylor was a finalist. It was posted in error by Framingham Patch. She is a candidate for the position. Finalists have yet to be named.