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Date: 7/31/2015
WESTFIELD – Westfield Public Schools will see a few administrative shifts when school picks back up in the fall. Westfield High School Principal Jonathon Carter has announced his resignation, effective Aug. 21.
Carter’s decision to resign is in large part due to his family’s move to Connecticut, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Suzanne Scallion.
“One big priority is spending time with his family, and they just moved. There’s a lot on their plate as a family,” she said.
With Carter stepping aside, Scallion said the Westfield School District was in a fortunate position. Dennis Duquette, principal of South Middle School, will move up to the high school to fill the role of interim principal.
Justin Baker, a teacher at South Middle School, will then take over for Duquette as interim principal.
“We’re so lucky to have such a strong pool of talent in town. [Duquette] has built a positive climate at South Middle School and has been in a high school before and a superintendent in another state,” Scallion said. “He is a very experienced, upbeat great motivator … Most of all he has that can-do energy that I think will bring excitement to the high school, so it’s a good situation that we will be able to bring in.”
Scallion said Baker is someone the district has had its eyes on as he has “grown through the administrative ranks,” waiting until he was able to step into another role.
“He is going to be an outstanding principal … We’re very excited to see Justin step into a role of principal with us. He’s a strong enough candidate that I was starting to worry we may lose him to another district,” Scallion said.
While both are interim positions last for a year, Scallion said that is the best situation for the district.
“It gives everybody a chance to change their minds. It’s a win-win,” Scallion said. “It allows the principal to decide if it’s a good fit and us to decide if it’s a good fit. Strategically, it’s the way to go.”
Though administrators are moving around the district, Scallion said she is excited for the year to come and thankful to have a chance to promote from within.
“We’ve been working hard to grow the administrative team from within because then you have cultural knowledge and historical perspective, which I think is great … It’s never a great time, but it is what it is, and the good news is that we had the people to fill in,” Scallion said. “I think every shift brings a different perspective and I think what will serve the high school now is the kind of motivation and charismatic leadership that Mr. Duquette brings.”