Wilmington Schools Won't Wait For New Principal To Make Changes

WILMINGTON, MA -- While the school system is still hoping to permanently fill the principal's position at Wilmington Middle School, the district cannot wait any longer to begin a review of the school's schedule and program, according to Superintendent Glenn Brand. Brand told the school committee earlier this month that he has formed a committee to begin the review process, which will recommend changes after reviewing the school's current curriculum.

"We are currently gearing up for a principal search that will lead to the selection of the school’s next permanent (and hopefully long-term) principal," Brand wrote in a memo to the committee. "However, given concerns regarding the schedule and program of studies, and the fact that any such programmatic changes have been at a standstill given the leadership situation over the past few years, I do not think it’s in the school’s best interests to wait any longer to begin a review process."

Brand hopes the committee will have its first meeting by February and deliver its first report in June. That would allow the new principal to review the findings ahead of the 2019-20 school year. Delaying the formation of the committee would likely mean changes would not be implemented until the 2021-22 school year.

Brand, who started in July, delayed hiring a new middle school principal shortly after starting in his new role. At the time he told the school committee he wanted to delay hiring to"better understand the specific needs of the school community." Kevin Welch, who was appointed interim superintendent during the 2016-17 school year, continued in that role.

The school has struggled in recent years to find a permanent principal. Amy Gerade resigned for medical reasons in November 2016 after taking the position in July 2015. Ralph Olsen served as interim principal in 2014-15.

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).