Finalists chosen for Center School principal

Date: 6/8/2009

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor



LONGMEADOW This Monday the Longmeadow Superintendent of Schools E. Jahn Hart will decide which one of two finalists for the Center Elementary School principal position is best suited. Dr. Robert Lincoln is retiring from the position after holding it for five years.

The two finalists are Mary Lou DiBella, principal of Holland Elementary School in Holland, Mass., and Donna Hutton, reading specialist at Center Elementary School.

The school district initially received about 30 applications for the position after they began the search in January. Hart and Blueberry Hill School Principal Marie Pratt visited the schools of each finalist to meet with staff, parents, students and community members before a final selection was made.

"My approach is extremely inclusive and thorough. I sought desired characterisitcs for the new principal from the Center School staff and parents," Hart said, explaining that every staff member, parent and community member will have an opportunity to meet both candidates, to ask questions of them and to provide feedback to me via confidential, individual feedback form (at press time).

"The staff and parents are looking for someone who will continue the school's record of excellence and the many positive practices initiated by Dr. Lincoln, but who will also work with them toward continous improvement of students achievement, school climate and professional learning communities," Hart said.

She noted that each candidate had their own unique quality. "Donna is a well-respected reading specialist whose experience as an adjunct instructor of teachers at UMass [Amherst] has informed her knowledge base. As a 15-year educator in Longmeadow, she understands the school and the community. Dr. Mary Lou DiBella is an experienced school principal with an extensive background in special education that includes school adjustment counselor, behavioral and autism consultant and teacher and private clinical practitioner."