Framingham Schools Begin Search For New Stapleton Elementary Principal

News release from Framingham Public Schools.

On March 1st, the staff and families of Stapleton Elementary School were notified that their current Principal, Sara Yuen, had accepted a position in a district closer to home for next school year. Ms. Yuen remains fully committed to the Stapleton community through the end of this academic year and is supporting a smooth transition in leadership.

The Principal position was posted as of March 4, 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 Stapleton Elementary 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 Stapleton Elementary School.

Stapleton Elementary 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 18 Sheltered English Immersion classrooms, and 3 sub-separate classrooms for students with Emotional Disabilities. Stapleton educates approximately 360 students from Kindergarten through grade 5. The student population is comprised of approximately 45.8% of students whose first language is not English, 38.5% of students who are emergent bilinguals, 26.2% are students with disabilities, and 80.5% of students who are designated as high needs. Stapleton students are supported by two Vice Principals, a part-time Team Evaluation Coordinator, and a robust support staff including full-time Literacy, Math, Social Emotional Behavioral, and English Language Development coaches as well as two School Adjustment Counselors, two Social Workers, one BCBA and one Student Support Specialist as well as full time Reading and Math teachers. (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 March 20, 2024.

Step 2: Interview Committee: We are seeking up to 11 volunteers (4 Stapleton staff, 2-3 Stapleton 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 March 18, 2024 and March 28, 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 April 1, 2024.

Step 4: Virtual Finalists Forum: The finalists will spend the day at Stapleton and meet with stakeholders of the Stapleton community and answer questions (anticipated to take place the week of April 15 or April 22, 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 Wednesday, March 13, 2024. The Committee will be announced on or after March 14, 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:

• March 18 (4:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
• March 19 (4:30 pm - 8:30 pm) (if needed)

Virtual Interviews (30-minute candidate interviews):

• March 25 (4:30 pm - 9:00 pm)
• March 26 (4:30 pm - 9:00 pm)
• March 27 (4:30 pm - 9:00 pm)
• March 28 (4:30 pm - 9:00 pm) (if needed)

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 Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Anyone with questions can contact Inna London, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources.

The job is posted and open for applications. Apply Now.