Marblehead School Leadership Changes Announced

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead Public Schools has filled several leadership positions — at least temporarily — amid the ongoing turnover of personnel within the district.

Interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness told the school community on Friday that Patricia Bell will be the interim Director of Student Services starting this upcoming week. Bell has worked in student services at South Deerfield, Shelburne Falls, Hadley and most recently at Lexington High School.

McGuinness said Bell is expected to be fully in her role by the end of the week.

McGuinness said Bell will work closely with Student Services Transition Coordinator Ashlee Liebman on prioritized needs, will co-lead the Student Services Steering Committee alongside Assistant Superintendent Julia Ferreira, routinely visit schools to determine strengths and areas of need, and meet regularly with team chairs, SEPAC leaders and the administrative leadership team.

"Together, we will continue our work to 'right the ship' in moving forward and upward through administrative changes," McGuinness said.

Frank Kowalski has been named the interim assistant principal at Marblehead High School. Kowalski has held leadership roles in Swampscott, West Newbury and Haverhill.

"We are fortunate to welcome Frank to the MPS team and look forward to working with him," McGuinness said.

Kowalski began at the high school this past week.

McGuinness also said that Mary Delai will be working as a part-time consultant in the business office as the district prepares for the departure of Michelle Cresta for a similar job in the Manchester-Essex School District.

"Her finance acumen, leadership skills, and strong work ethic will serve the district well," McGuinness said.

McGuinness said that the interviews for the permanent successor to Cresta as a Director of Business and Finance will begin after the February vacation with hopes of a new person starting in that position as of July 1.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)