GREENFIELD — The search for the next Newton School principal is underway.
Interim Principal Carol Jacobs informed the School Committee last week that the district received 13 applications, and she hopes to narrow the list to a few finalists by April break.
“To date, we’ve received 13 applications. Thirteen are certified and we basically are going to interview seven people,” Jacobs said. “We’ve screened them for certification, if they have leadership experience anywhere and then we looked at all the things we’re working on. If someone has experience, we put them on the list.”
Jacobs took on the role of interim principal in fall 2024, after Principal Sadie Cora had resigned. Jacobs told the School Committee that one of her priorities when she stepped into the role was to foster a culture of teamwork and community at the school, and ensure the staff feel supported.
“Joy is a very big deal to me. I don’t want to go to work every day in a place that feels miserable. I want to feel joy,” Jacobs said. “To me, watching children and teachers learn and grow is the ultimate joy, so it is my hope and dream that that will continue with the next principal who’s coming on board.”
She said staff members are feeling nervous about the search for the next permanent principal, and what the transition might mean for them and the school.
“I think my guys are a little anxious right now, because they know what’s going to happen and they’ve had some leadership changes that haven’t lasted long,” Jacobs explained. “I said to them, ‘You shouldn’t worry, because now this is part of the culture, so somebody coming in will see that the culture is strong and they’re not going to just turn everything over.’ So that’s what they’re worried about.”
She said a survey was sent out asking Newton School employees what qualities they want to see in the next principal, and a search committee will be created, consisting of staff members and parent representatives, to further screen candidates.
“Our goal,” Jacobs said, “is to select the finalists to be able to be sent to the superintendent on Friday, the 17th.”
