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Date: 5/15/2015
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Superintendent Michael Richard interviewed the two finalists for the position of high school principal. Richard interviewed Dr. Vito Perrone and Purnima Vadhera on May 13 at the high school.
Each candidate, interviewed separately, was given an hour to answer 20 questions relating to curriculum, school culture, conflict resolution and other topics. Perrone and Vadhera both completed the questions in just less than an hour.
Perrone, the current Easthampton High School principal, stressed collaboration in his interview.
“My vision has to be part of our vision,” he said.
He said in the past he has been able to create a positive school environment through teamwork and empowerment.
“The culture that we have at that school, the opportunity where a teacher has an opportunity to lead, to be empowered, a culture where teachers are not afraid to have another teacher in their classroom … that’s kind of the exciting culture that we’ve got going on at [Easthampton High School],” Perrone said.
Perrone said his previous work as a teacher in correctional education for 10 years has helped inform his methods in regard to drug and alcohol abuse.
“I think part of this at the high school level is informing students and parents, reaching out to parents, getting parents in the building, making sure that students understand that we’re not just here to be the hammer,” Perone said. “We’re here to support, here to help.”
Vadhera, currently the assistant principal of Maynard High School, said she has been ready to take on the role of principal for about six years professionally, but now that her two children are independent, she is ready personally.
Throughout her interview, Vadhera referenced a program she helped start at Maynard, which she said caused a ripple effect in the school. The peer observation program, she said, gets teachers out of their classrooms, keeps them motivated and helps teachers become better.
This is something she would like to implement at West Springfield to help build a supportive environment.
“If you have administrative supporting you to take a risk [in the classroom], you’re going to go from good to great,” Vadhera said.
Vadhera also stressed the importance of building a community within the school and around it. She created a parent center to bring parents into the building and involved in their children’s education at Maynard.
She also said the five languages she speaks and her affinity for grant writing would only benefit West Springfield High School build its community.
When it comes down to it, though, the most important thing is being there for the students, she said.
“We are here for the kids. Prove to me that you’re going to do whatever it takes to reach every student,” Vadhera said. “If you have that light and that passion in you, you’re going to do whatever it takes at the end of the day. You might have to stay after school. You might have to connect to the parents. You’re going to do what it takes.”
Richard asked the crowd in attendance to submit written feedback, if they wished. Though no timetable has been set, Richard said he would be speaking to principals in the district, staff and central office administrators before making a final decision.
“We have two very qualified people. It’s a big decision, and I don’t want to rush it,” Richard said.
As of press time, no decision had been made.