With the resignation of Winthrop High School principal Eileen Belastock last week, the search for a successor will begin and one of the names being introduced in the process is former Winthrop schools administrator Lisa Howard. Those who worked with Lisa in the public schools and those who know Lisa’s love of this town believe that she would be an outstanding candidate for the high school principal position. Lisa’s knowledge of all aspects of the school system and the town, her experience as an educator and an administrator, and her overall professionalism would blend well with the current needs of the school system. Lisa also understands the great work that was been put in by the School Building Assistance Committee, Supt. John Macero, Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo, Town Manager James McKenna, the School Committee, and the Town Council — that is led by her father, Council President Peter Gill — to bring a brand-new, state-of-the-art middle/high school to our town in 2017.
We also admire Lisa’s competitiveness. We saw her excel for the Winthrop High School softball team, leading the Vikings to a state championship in faraway Whitinsville, Mass. — and then continuing her brilliant career as a Division 1 softball player at Boston College, where she was a true scholar-athlete. Lisa wouldn’t settle for anything less than giving each Winthrop High student a high-quality educational and extracurricular experience and the new high school will afford even greater opportunities to accomplish that mission.
We have seen the level of excellence and teamwork by which Peter Gill has guided the Council — not to mention the great sense of community pride he has brought to our town — and as he leaves the Council, it could be the right time for Lisa Howard to lead our high school. We’re not sure whether Lisa would return to the school system, but it would certainly be exciting if she declares her candidacy for the position.