Audience Quizzes Two Finalists for RMHS Principalship

Two finalists for the position of principal faced an audience of about 30 people Thursday night and answered about a dozen questions each from them about what qualifies them to become the high school’s next top administrator.

First up: Heidi Riccio, director of career and technical education at Greater Lawrence Regional and Technical Vocational High School in Andover.

Second: Kevin Higginbottom, assistant principal at North Middlesex Regional High School in Townsend.

The third finalist, Christopher Lord, accepted the job of Andover High School principal, Superintendent Dr. John Doherty told the audience before the first interview.

Questions to the two candidates varied. Several people asked Riccio how her experience at a technical school would transfer to a comprehensive high school.

Overall, questions covered the candidate’s fit with the high school’s culture, discipline and technology.

In summary, Riccio said she applied for the job because the number of students at RMHS is consistent with the number she oversees now and she wants “more involvement” with students. She spoke several times of staying current with industry trends with programs or partnerships in engineering and bioscience.

Higginbottom emphasized that he would be out of his office, visible and available to students and staff. He said he wants challenge, to become an "outstanding" administrator. He came to Reading, he said, to see the high school production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and attended the girls’ basketball team’s come-from-behind win, in overtime. Driving around town, he said he saw a lot of people walking. He said he walks, attends events in his community and “adores” student musicians and actors.  

The position of RMHS principal will become vacant when Principal Elinor Freedman retires at the end of this school year.

Doherty said he plans to decide on a new principal by April 2.

Both Riccio and Higginbottom visited with RMHS staff after school yesterday, Doherty said. Both finalists will spend Friday at RMHS, meeting with staff and students, Doherty said, and students will have the opportunity to ask both finalist questions.  Doherty said he may visit both finalists’ schools next week.

Twenty-five people applied for the job, Doherty told Patch. A screening committee of parents, teachers and administrators winnowed the number down, he said. Last night’s questions from the community are part of the selection process, Doherty said.

Parent, teacher and resident Joanne King attended last night’s meeting because “I have a vested interest in this person,” the next high school principal, she told Patch before the meeting started. The Kings have two children at the high school, her husband, Thomas King, added.

The tone at the high school is set by the principal, Maggie Carlson told Patch, and it’s “important to get the right fit” between the principal and the community. “If you don’t come (to the meeting), you can’t complain,” she said, about which candidate is chosen.

Doherty handed out a list of 32 qualities that parents, staff and students have said, in focus groups and online surveys, are important in a new principal. They range from visibility in the school, classrooms and at school events to a willingness to embrace the school culture to enthusiasm, innovativeness, empathy, an out-of-the-box thinker who embraces 21^st century learning skills and understands special education.

Doherty asked members of the audience to fill out a feedback sheet listing strengths and concerns about both finalists.

After the interviews, Krista Erikson said she felt that one candidate was not as aware of the challenges of the job here and the other was more aware of them and willing to take them on, pulling in resources that that candidate might need. She did not specify which applicant was which.