By Emmy Liederman
Last March, Principal Mr. Peter Renwick unexpectedly went on paid leave and his position was left open for the remainder of the school year. In a March 18 letter to parents, Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dolan addressed his absence as a medical leave and the process of reworking the administrative team began. In August, Dolan announced that Dr. Derrick Nelson would be the acting principal until Feb. 1, 2017. At an Aug. 30 BOE meeting, Chemistry Teacher Ms. Mabel Huynh was approved by the board as acting assistant principal, joining Mr. Jim DeSarno and Ms. Margaret McFadden on the school’s administrative team.
Last March, Principal Mr. Peter Renwick unexpectedly went on paid leave and his position was left open for the remainder of the school year. In a March 18 letter to parents, Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dolan addressed his absence as a medical leave and the process of reworking the administrative team began. In August, Dolan announced that Dr. Derrick Nelson would be the acting principal until Feb. 1, 2017. At an Aug. 30 BOE meeting, Chemistry Teacher Ms. Mabel Huynh was approved by the board as acting assistant principal, joining Mr. Jim DeSarno and Ms. Margaret McFadden on the school’s administrative team.
When asked whether the district is required to reserve Renwick’s job, Dolan stressed that she is restricted by law to not discuss personnel issues. “What I can say is as soon as I have any definitive information, I’ll be sure everybody knows,” Dolan said.
Many believe that during Renwick’s end-of-year absence, they were in the dark for too long. “The student body was entirely left out of the situation, and I don’t exactly agree with that,” said senior Carl Mazzara. “He was our principal…. We have the right to know what happened. At the same time, I do understand that it is a sensitive subject.”
Even though Nelson’s position is currently temporary, he has tried not to let this affect the way he views his job. “When it comes time to make decisions, I’m going to make them in the same manner that I would if I was in the full-fledged position,” he said. “That being said, I still see this as the principal’s office in the back of my head and have to get used to the space being my own. Until you’ve actually sat in the seat, you don’t realize how many things come across the desk.”
Filling Nelson’s position with a new assistant principal was no quick process. The high school administrative team worked with Ms. Barbara Ball, head of the human resources department, who reviewed several applications and made a recommendation to Dolan, who then relayed this to the BOE.
“[Ms. Huynh] did some internships with the assistant principals at Westfield High School,” said Dolan. “Even after her course work was done, she continued to volunteer. She wanted to continue helping and learning about the work as an assistant principal.”
Huynh noted that leaving her chemistry classroom for Office A has given her a new perspective. “I miss the Bunsen burner and having that undivided 43 minutes with my students,” she said. “But the best part about my new job is that I am no longer confined to one space. I now have the freedom to walk around the school, meet new students and set foot in places I’ve never been before.”
As for Nelson, he admits that there is a learning curve in transitioning from vice principal to his new job. “As assistant principal, I dealt with my assigned group of kids. Now I deal with all the kids,” he said. “Of course there is a level of nervousness when you take on a new position, but I have had support from throughout the community.”
Dr. Dolan is not only impressed with the administration, but with everyone else in the community as well. “The administrative team, the teaching staff and the students have really stepped up in ensuring that WHS continues to provide everything it has always offered,” she said.
Still, the big question remains: Is Mr. Renwick ever coming back? Said Nelson: “They’re working on figuring out how things are going to happen. I don’t know exactly where we are.”
Many believe that during Renwick’s end-of-year absence, they were in the dark for too long. “The student body was entirely left out of the situation, and I don’t exactly agree with that,” said senior Carl Mazzara. “He was our principal…. We have the right to know what happened. At the same time, I do understand that it is a sensitive subject.”
Even though Nelson’s position is currently temporary, he has tried not to let this affect the way he views his job. “When it comes time to make decisions, I’m going to make them in the same manner that I would if I was in the full-fledged position,” he said. “That being said, I still see this as the principal’s office in the back of my head and have to get used to the space being my own. Until you’ve actually sat in the seat, you don’t realize how many things come across the desk.”
Filling Nelson’s position with a new assistant principal was no quick process. The high school administrative team worked with Ms. Barbara Ball, head of the human resources department, who reviewed several applications and made a recommendation to Dolan, who then relayed this to the BOE.
“[Ms. Huynh] did some internships with the assistant principals at Westfield High School,” said Dolan. “Even after her course work was done, she continued to volunteer. She wanted to continue helping and learning about the work as an assistant principal.”
Huynh noted that leaving her chemistry classroom for Office A has given her a new perspective. “I miss the Bunsen burner and having that undivided 43 minutes with my students,” she said. “But the best part about my new job is that I am no longer confined to one space. I now have the freedom to walk around the school, meet new students and set foot in places I’ve never been before.”
As for Nelson, he admits that there is a learning curve in transitioning from vice principal to his new job. “As assistant principal, I dealt with my assigned group of kids. Now I deal with all the kids,” he said. “Of course there is a level of nervousness when you take on a new position, but I have had support from throughout the community.”
Dr. Dolan is not only impressed with the administration, but with everyone else in the community as well. “The administrative team, the teaching staff and the students have really stepped up in ensuring that WHS continues to provide everything it has always offered,” she said.
Still, the big question remains: Is Mr. Renwick ever coming back? Said Nelson: “They’re working on figuring out how things are going to happen. I don’t know exactly where we are.”