School Committee Meets With New Gorman Fort Banks Principal

By Adam Swift

The School Committee met with new Gorman Fort Banks School principal Mark McAneny Monday night as he put the finishing touches on the beginning of the new school year on Wednesday.

McAneny was hired to replace former long-time Gorman Fort Banks principal Ilene Pearson, who retired at the end of the last school year. Previous to coming to Winthrop, McAneny most recently served as the principal of the Bishop Elementary School in Arlington.

“This week is the busiest week of our school year, the next two days are just straight out,” said McAneny on Monday.

Staff were in the building setting up classrooms, the special education department was looking at caseloads for the coming year, and specialists were planning for the year over the beginning of the week, McAneny said.

As of Monday, McAneny said that hiring was complete at the school with the exception of being one position short with its educational support professionals.

“There are no concerns with us being ready to go on Wednesday,” said McAneny.

McAneny also talked about his educational philosophy and the work he has put in over the summer in preparation for his first year at the Gorman Fort Banks.

“When I came on the scene, I invited every staff member … to come meet me over the summer,” he said.

McAneny said it was an opportunity for staff to get to know him and for him to put faces with names. He also noted that he recently moved to Winthrop and has focused on becoming involved in the community.

“I’m a big community leader, I like to be available and I like to be visible,” he said. “I spent most of the summer just riding around on my bike going into businesses and introducing myself.”

The new principal said he wants parents to know that he will work together with them to meet the educational needs of their children.

“I want them to know that I’m approachable, willing to listen to feedback, and to adjust my practices if needed,” said McAneny. “There are times when we have to be firm but diplomatic at the same time.”

In other business, the School Committee voted to allow the superintendent and assistant superintendent to sign contracts under $250,000.

Superintendent of Schools Lisa Howard said that town counsel has been reviewing town rules and ordinances, and has found nothing on the books that allows the superintendent to sign off on smaller contracts.

Howard noted that larger contracts, such as union agreements and anything over $250,000 will still have to come before the School Committee for its approval.