As Watertown School officials seek to find the next Watertown High School principal, parents and students will have an opportunity to talk about what qualities they would like the person to have.
Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee Monday that, while the deadline to apply for the position closes Friday, the district has already has nearly 30 candidates.
She said the next principal, who replaces the retiring Shirley Lundberg, will have a chance not only to build a learning environment at WHS, but a new school. The high school project has been accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority program, and planning for rebuilding or renovating the school has begun.
The applicants for WHS principal will be screened by a committee made up of school officials, teachers, staff, parents and students.
Those not involved in the search can give their point of view about what they would like to see from the next \principal during a Parent Focus Group on Monday, Jan. 13, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the High School, Galdston said. A Student Focus Group will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 8 a.m. That day, the district will also hold focus groups for staff, Galdston said.
The Screening Committee will meet on Jan. 13 to review the applications, Galdston said. They will submit a list of candidates to invite for the first round of interviews. After those interviews are conducted, the Screening Committee will send a recommended list of finalists to Galdston.
The finalists will be interviewed by Galdston during the week of Jan. 27-31. The interviews will be open to the public.
“The goal is to make an offer by Feb. 11, and present the (new principal) at the March 2 School Committee meeting,” Galdston said.