Report: Winchester High in Search of New Principal

WINCHESTER, MA—The search for a new principal is on at Winchester High School.

According to a report by Wicked Local Winchester, interim Principal Christine Kelley will be resuming her previous position as Lynch Elementary School’s principal and will not be in the running for the open position. Former Principal Sean Kiley signed a separation agreement with the district on Aug. 31 after being involved a month-long controversy with school officials.

“It’s been incredible and I’ve learned tremendously. The kids are awesome at Winchester High School. They’re very engaged, polite and fun,” Kelley told Wicked Local Winchester. “As much as I love working at the high school and it has been a journey, in the end I feel like it wasn’t my journey.”

Reports Bram Berkowitz, who broke the story on Wicked Local Winchester’s website:

Kelley was thrown into the position a week before the start of the school year, following the departure of former WHS Principal Sean Kiley. Kiley, who signed a separation agreement with the school district on Aug. 31, 2015, had been embroiled in a month-long controversy with school officials, who said he resigned as principal while Kiley insisted he hadn’t.

Superintendent Judith Evans and School Committee Chairwoman Cindy Bohne commended Kelley for her work.

“Chris did outstanding and we would have been happy to have her apply,” said Evans. “She has accomplished a great deal and addressed many of the issues and concerns parents and students had.”

“She landed with her feet running and has been able to keep the school running with tremendous strength,” added Bohne. “She made the students and the parents feel safe. For those that are seniors this was really important.”

Now, the focus shifts to the search for a new principal, a “crucially important hire” that Evans expects to announce by April for a July 1 start date.

Applications are closing Feb. 22, and Superintendent Evans expects there to be 50 applicants, according to Berkowitz’s report which you can also read in its entirety here.