New Interim Principal Appointed to Oak Middle School.

Ann Jones is the new interim principal at .

"Ms. Jones is currently an assistant principal at Sherwood Middle School," said Superintendent of Schools Joseph Sawyer in a press release.

Jones joined the Shrewsbury Public Schools as a sixth grade social studies teacher in 1995. Jones also taught eighth grade social studies, and then was appointed as the middle level social studies curriculum coordinator in 2004, according to a Sawyer.

In 2006, Jones became the assistant principal at Sherwood Middle School, where she has provided excellent leadership in that important role for the past five years. Jones holds a bachelor's degree in history from St. Anselm College and a master's degree in middle school education from Worcester State College, and she is currently improving her leadership skills by studying for her doctorate in educational leadership at Northeastern University.

"During her time in Shrewsbury, Ms. Jones has been involved in a variety of leadership endeavors, including directing the summer enrichment program for five years, serving on multiple curriculum and governance committees, and presenting at professional conferences," Sawyer said. "Ms. Jones also had the foresight to lead an anti-bullying initiative at Sherwood Middle School long before this was mandated, and she has been a key leader of the district's work in this important area."

"I believe that Ms. Jones's work ethic, commitment, high expectations, and expertise are an excellent match for Oak Middle School's needs at this time," he said. "She has a deep understanding of the unique elements of middle school education, and her familiarity with the students who will be enrolled at Oak Middle School this year is an added bonus. I am highly confident that Ms. Jones is ready to work collaboratively with the school community in order to lead the school forward."

Ms. Jones will immediately begin in her new role and will be focused on preparing for the opening of school. This will include selecting an interim assistant principal to fill the vacancy that currently exists at Oak Middle School. Jane Lizotte, the principal of Sherwood Middle School, will immediately begin the search for an interim assistant principal to fill the position that Jones is vacating there.

"I believe that both interim principal positions will be filled by well qualified internal candidates prior to the beginning of the school year," Sawyer said.