Several significant personnel changes are occurring within Chelsea Public Schools as the school year concludes. The most notable development involves Chelsea High Principal Priti Johari transitioning to the Central Office, where she will assume the role of assistant superintendent.
This shift at CHS follows Assistant Principal Ron Schmidt’s departure to lead the newly established alternative high school program located within Chelsea High.
“I am announcing that effective July 1, 2018, Chelsea High School Principal, Priti Johari, will be promoted to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Programs and Accountability,” wrote Supt. Mary Bourque. “To replace Ms. Johari, we will be posting for principal candidates as soon as possible. We are also convening a ‘Selection Committee’ to do the first round of interviews. The job of the Selection Committee will be to narrow the field of possible candidates to the top 2-3 highest qualified for me to interview. I will choose from the 2-3 finalists.”
According to Bourque, the Committee is currently evaluating five or six semi-finalists for the position. She indicated that two candidates would be forwarded to her shortly, with a potential announcement expected as early as Friday.
Regarding concerns about the leadership transition at CHS, Bourque acknowledged that some worry about a decline in performance following the departure of these two administrators. However, she expressed confidence in the district’s ability to maintain momentum.
“One of the good things we’ve put into the CPS is we build the system so that we collaborate very well,” she stated. “One of the things about Chelsea is because of our turnover, we have gotten very good at picking things up quick and making sure they don’t go back…As superintendent, that’s why you always build a deep bench.”
In other significant news, Kelly School Principal Maggie Sanchez Gleason is departing the position after her husband received a promotion requiring relocation to London.
This opening has been filled by Assistant Principal Lisa Lineweaver, a former School Committee member and Chelsea resident with two children attending district schools. Lineweaver brings extensive teaching experience from Boston before joining Chelsea last year.
The retirement of long-time Director of Administration and Finance Gerry McCue represents another major transition for the district.
Bourque is actively seeking a replacement and has engaged the Collins Center from UMass Boston to assist in identifying and selecting candidates. The Collins Center previously worked with the City Council to help select a city manager.
Additional notable retirements include the following six Central Office and district-wide administrators:
- Tina Sullivan, Director of Human Resources
- Linda Breau, Deputy Superintendent (transitioning to Human Resources for one year before retiring)
- Linda Alioto Robinson, Director of REACH
- Miguel Andreottola, Director of Technology
- AnnMarie LaPuma, Director of Assessment and Planning
Regarding Andreottola’s retirement, Bourque announced this week that long-time resident Rich Pilcher has been promoted to director of technology. Pilcher is also a Chelsea High graduate.