Framingham Begins Search For New High School Principal

News release from Framingham Public Schools.

FRAMINGHAM, MA — On March 4th, the Framingham High School community was notified that Dr. Amy Gerade would be resigning from the FHS Principal position, effective June 30, 2024. Until that time, she will be supporting the Office of Teaching and Learning with MCAS and AP exams at FHS, as well as other curriculum-based projects. Mr. Mark Albright has been named Interim Principal through the end of this school year.

The Principal position was posted as of March 6, 2024 and the District is currently seeking candidates to apply. Framingham community members are also encouraged to participate in the search and hiring process of identifying the new leadership for Framingham High School.

The Position
Framingham Public Schools is inviting highly-qualified candidates to apply for the incredible opportunity to lead a diverse and dynamic school community as our next Principal of Framingham High School.

Framingham High School enthusiastically welcomes professionals who thrive in a diverse environment, emphasizing the importance of strong, positive relationships with students, staff, families, and community. This is a school that celebrates the diversity of our student body through a variety of courses and programs. Framingham High School educates approximately 2530 students from grades 9-12 and includes an alternative education opportunity at Thayer Campus. The student population is comprised of approximately 50.3% of students whose first language is not English, 26.1% of students who are emergent bilinguals, 19.7% are students with disabilities, and 63.2% of students who are designated as high needs. Framingham High consists of 6 Houses: Gold House, Green House, Blue House, Silver House, Student Success Academy, and Welcome Academy. Each house has a Vice Principal as well as student support staff which includes guidance counselors and social workers to guide students along their educational experience. Students are assigned to houses based on language needs, engagement in our work-study program, or alphabetically. (The complete job description can be found on the FPS website.)

The Process

Step 1: Initial Blind Candidate Selection: The Cabinet, which consists of the Assistant Superintendent for PK-12 Education, Assistant Superintendent for Equity, Belonging, and Community Engagement; Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources; Executive Director for Student Services; and Executive Director for Finance and Operations will blindly review and screen resumes for all applicants. Blind screening involves the removal of personally identifiable information, such as candidate names and other identifying factors, from resumes and applications throughout the assessment phase, rather than personal characteristics that might introduce unconscious biases. The Cabinet will recommend candidates to be interviewed by April 10, 2024.

Step 2: Interview Committee: We are seeking up to 11 volunteers (4 FHS staff, 2-3 FHS parents/guardians, 3 administrators, 1 other community member (i.e. CRD, community member, etc.)) to serve on the Interview Committee. Members selected for this Committee will meet virtually for a 3.5 - 4 hour Orientation, which includes an anti-bias training. Then the Committee will conduct 30-minute virtual interviews with selected candidates. At the end of all interviews, the Committee will select 3 - 4 candidates who will proceed to interviews with the Superintendent and his Cabinet. Dates and application link are included below. This part of the process takes place between April 11 and May 6, 2024.

Step 3: Cabinet and Superintendent of Schools Interviews: The Superintendent and his Cabinet will interview the candidates who progress from the Interview Committee interviews and submit 2-3 finalists. This will happen during the week of May 6, 2024.

Step 4: Virtual Finalists Forum: The finalists will spend the day at FHS and meet with stakeholders of the FHS community and answer questions (anticipated to take place the week of May 13, 2024).
Volunteer Opportunities and Commitment

Focus Group Survey: Community members may complete this google form to help identify key characteristics of the new Principal, as well as to share your input regarding their priorities in the first six (6) months.

Interview Committee: If you wish to be considered to sit on the Interview Committee, please complete this Application by Monday, April 8, 2024. The Committee will be announced on or after April 9, 2024. All meetings will be virtual via Google Meet. Interview Committee members MUST attend ALL meetings and be FULLY PRESENT for the ENTIRE duration of each meeting date. If you require any accommodations, please let Inna London know in advance.

Orientation and Anti-Bias Training:

• April 11 (4:30 pm - 9 pm)

Virtual Interviews (30-minute candidate interviews):

• May 1 (4:30 pm - 9:00 pm)
• May 2 (4:30 pm - 9:00 pm)
• May 6 (4:30 pm - 9:00 pm)

In rare circumstances, dates will need to change to ensure a better pool of applicants; in such a case, an announcement will be made as soon as possible. It is very important for us to have a diverse screening committee that celebrates and mirrors the diversity of our students. Please complete the application BY Monday, April 8, 2024.