Gorman Fort Banks Principal Search Close to a Conclusion

By Adam Swift

Two finalists for the Gorman Fort Banks School principal position were expected to visit the school this week, according to Superintendent of Schools Lisa Howard.

“The principal search committee has completed all the initial interviews and narrowed it down to two candidates,” Howard said at Monday night’s School Committee meeting. “Both candidates will visit the Gorman Fort Banks this week individually on separate days and they will meet with staff, they will meet with myself, parents, and administrators. They will also tour the school and visit some of our classrooms and engage in some learning that is taking place at the Gorman Fort Banks.”

After the candidate visits, Howard said she will be meeting again with some of the search committee members and she will then update the School Committee on her selection for the next principal of the school.

“We look forward to the feedback from our parents and our staff members at the Gorman Fort Banks, as well as from the administrative team,” said Howard. “This was a comprehensive, bigger look at bringing people to the district than we’ve had in the past. This is the first time we’ve not had an internal candidate looking to move up the ladder.”

Howard also updated the committee on negotiations for a new contract with the district’s educational support professionals (ESPs), which are in mediation.

“We have the first mediation session with the ESPs on (March) 21,” said Howard. “It’s my hope that we will have a quick resolution and an agreement, hopefully with the assistance of an impartial mediator to come in and do some work with both sides.”

In other contract updates, the School Committee approved a new contract with school nurses.