27 February, 2012
According to an email from Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Landman’s office on February 27, the process of looking for a replacement for retiring Elmwood School Principal Ilene Silver is now underway. A Steering Committee, chaired by Kim Pulnik, Director of Human Resources, will include the principals of both Hopkins and Center School, Meredith Ekwall, Director of Elementary Curriculum, as well as three members of the Elmwood faculty, Jessica McPhail, administrative assistant in the Elmwood Main Office, and two parent representatives selected from volunteers identified by the HPTA, the Hopkinton Education Foundation (HEF), the Special Education Advisory Council (SPEAC) and the Elmwood Parent Council.
Silver, after fourteen years of leadership at Elmwood School, intends to retire at the end of this school year.
“I congratulate Mrs. Silver on her long and distinguished career here,” said Landman, “and I look forward to recognizing and celebrating her contributions to the Hopkinton community in the months ahead.”
Landman’s email also said that the position has already been advertised and that the plan is to select a pool of semi-finalist candidates for the Screening Committee to interview by March 9th. The Screening Committee will conduct interviews and recommend finalists to the Superintendent by March 15th.
“If all goes as planned, the identities of finalists who agree to move forward in the process will be shared with the community by the end of that week,” said Landman.
After further interviews by the Central Office, interviews by the School Committee are planned for Monday, March 26, followed by a public forum at which parents and staff will be invited to meet the candidates and provide their input into the decision making process.
Landman also said that there is a possibility of a site visit at one or more finalists’ current work sites, but that he plans to announce the choice for the new Principal of Elmwood School by April 12, 2012.
“I understand that there are few roles more vital in the life of the community than a school principal,” said Landman. “We will take the utmost care to find the right educational leader for the job.”
