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Board Members Question Job Picks

Posted on: Thursday, 30 June 2005, 18:00 CDT

The superintendent's recommendations for new principals at two elementary schools have at least two School Committee members perplexed.

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WOONSOCKET - The School Committee is scheduled to appoint two new principals to city elementary schools tonight, but now several committee members say they've got serious questions about the recommendations.

By their own accounts, they had expected School Supt. Anthony D'Acchioli to recommend a permanent hire to replace principal Mark Prince at Leo A. Savoie Elementary School and a temporary replacement for Citizens Memorial Elementary School principal Debra Ferranti, who has requested a personal leave.

What they got was the opposite. D'Acchioli recommended a permanent replacement at Citizens and a one-year appointee at Savoie. That means if the School Committee accepts the recommendations tonight, Ferranti will not return to Citizens Memorial.

She will be replaced by the district's Elementary Special Needs Coordinator, Nancy Zambarano. Karen MacBeth, another internal candidate, has been recommended for the one-year Savoie job, according to School Committee member Michael R. Bileau.

School Committee members say they've heard that Ferranti will be placed at Savoie when she returns from her leave.

It's a recommendation School Committee Chairman Marc A. Dubois and Bileau say does not make much sense.

In a district burdened by problems this year, Ferranti and her school were a notable success story.

Last fall, Ferranti took the reins at Citizens, a school troubled by leadership and academic failings. In just a few short weeks, Ferranti was widely creditted with turning the tides. Parents and teachers raved about her leadership style. In April, the school received a SALT report from a team of visiting educators who proclaimed, "What you have achieved in five short months is amazing!"

Then, last month, Ferranti requested a year-long leave of absence, to care for her young son. She promised to return to Citizens in the 2006-2007 school year.

But not if she's instead sent to Savoie.

"All I can say is, I think this is ridiculous. After all the outpouring for Ferranti at Citizens, I think she deserves to go back there," Bileau said.

"I don't like the way this is being done, I don't think it's in the best interest of the system."

The effects could be equally problematic at Savoie, Dubois pointed out.

"Savoie has had five principals in the last five years and they have a SALT report coming up. I would like to see more stability there next year," Dubois added.

Both men say it's not the candidates they have a problem with, it's the rationale behind their placements.

D'Acchioli could not be reached for comment yesterday, at his office or on his cell phone. His assistant said he took a personal day. The district's director of human resources said she could not comment on the matter without consulting with the superintendent first.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that the School Committee has not yet approved Ferranti's leave request. They are expected to vote on that issue this evening.

In the wake of a stormy School Committee meeting last week, there's also the possibility that Woonsocket Middle School principal Donna Valentine may be moved to another school.

With so many questions left unanswered, it is likely the committee will table tonight's appointments. When and if the Citizens and Savoie candidates are selected, they will be the second and third new principals assigned for the fall. Earlier this month, Marc Ladin, a northern Connecticut principal, was named to the top post at Kevin K. Coleman Elementary School, replacing George Nasuti, who is leaving to lead Woonsocket High School.

Source: Providence Journal

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