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Middletown educator eyed for E. Providence High post

4:33 PM Wed, Jul 01, 2009 |
Alisha A. Pina    Email

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Middletown High School administrator may be the next principal of the state's largest high school.

The School Committee will interview Janet Sheehan for the East Providence High School vacancy at 6 p.m. Wednesday night in City Hall. Sheehan has been the associate principal of teaching and learning at the Middletown secondary school since July 2004. She is responsible for graduation requirements, scheduling and meeting school expectations. Before that position, Sheehan was the director of guidance at Central High School for 15 years. She also has been a special education teacher.

Sheehan received her master's of education degree from Providence College and a bachelor's degree in business management from Johnson & Wales University.

If hired, she would replace Caroline Caswell, who was promoted to assistant superintendent earlier this year. Sheehan would also be the fifth principal, interim or permanent, for the school since 2006.

"My big concern is moving the high school to the next level of academics," Supt. Mario Cirillo said hours before the meeting. "... She brings a wealth of experience and knows the work that needs to be done. She also understands the direction we are going in."

Lonnie Barham, the district's chief operating officer, said 21people applied for the job by the June 15th deadline. All were external candidates except John O. Craig Jr., a former president of the Charlestown Town Council. Craig was one of two assistant principals at Providence's Adelaide High School before being hired by East Providence last year.

Caswell and Barham narrowed the field down to six based on the resumes submitted. An interview panel consisting of students, teachers, parents, school administrators and residents met with the six next. Barham said one applicant dropped out at that time and the panel trimmed the candidates to three.

A second panel -- with different people, but representing the same groups -- picked Craig and Sheehan to move forward from the three. Cirillo interviewed them both and chose Sheehan based on her experience. He said nine of the 11 members on the last panel chose Sheehan as well.

"She was the overwhelming first choice by the committee," Cirillo said.

A contract will be negotiated afterwards if the committee concurs with Cirillo's recommendation. The advertisement listed a salary range of $93,805 to $104,665. Barham said Caswell's salary at the time she was promoted was $104,665.

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 Tags  East Providence High School East Providence RI education Middletown High School principal

Comments

jt said:

leave the job vacant

Link | July 1, 2009 7:18 PM
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Stephen Boyce said:

I can't believe the "best" candidate can not be found within the system.

Link | July 2, 2009 5:31 AM
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