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Chief Named for Special Education; Former Barnstable School Administrator Chosen Over 2 Others

Posted on: Friday, 1 July 2005, 15:00 CDT

The Patriot Ledger

The school committee has appointed a Barnstable special education director as the new administrator of special education for Weymouth schools.

Ellen Varnerin of East Sandwich will replace Victoria Silberstein, who will become the principal of the town's Johnson Early Childhood Center this summer.

The school committee unanimously appointed Varnerin last night under the recommendation of Superintendent of Schools Joseph Rull.

"I think she'll be a wonderful addition to the central office team," he said.

Varnerin was chosen over two other finalists.

She will start her new post about Aug. 1, Rull said. Her contract is being negotiated.

"I feel honored to be joining such a fine, outstanding, dedicated staff," Varnerin said, referring to other administrators in the district. "I'm thrilled to be here."

Varnerin has worked in the Barnstable Public Schools for 23 years, serving as director of special education for the last five. She said she has heard about the "wonderful community and staff" in Weymouth from her sister, Murphy Primary School principal Ann Barry. After doing her own research on the district, Varnerin said she found Weymouth schools to have a reputation of excellence.

She is looking forward to working in a large district that is diverse and offers layers of programming for students.

Rull said Varnerin will be a good match for the district.

"She's a collaborator ... She really focuses on what is best for children," he said.

Varnerin was named Massachusetts School Psychologist of the Year in 1999. She holds a master of education degree in school psychology from the University of Massachusetts.

Varnerin was chosen out of pool of 23 applicants. A screening committee narrowed the field to three finalists, who were interviewed by Rull and central office staff and then by the school committee.

The other finalists were Roseanne Crowley, administrator of special education in the Plymouth school district, and Grover Gentry, director of pupil personnel in Berlin-Boylston school district.

In other business last night, the school committee ratified the contract of Unit B of the Weymouth Teachers Association, the administrators, subject to funding. It also ratified the contract of Unit E, Title One tutors.

Both are three-year contracts that are retroactive to September of last year and expire in August 2007, said Kathy Lavery, WTA president.

Eunice Kim may be reached at ekim@ledger.com.

Source: Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass.

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