Amherst welcomes three new principals

By Mary Carey
Staff Writer

Published on March 14, 2008

Three of four open principal positions have been filled, after a whirlwind round of applications that included two essay questions, interviews, day-long school visits and parent forums.

Superintendent Jere Hochman announced this week that Boston school-based teacher trainer Glenda Cresto will take the helm at Amherst Regional Middle School next year, after announcing earlier that Michael Morris would be principal of Mark's Meadow Elementary School and Ray Sharick principal of Fort River Elementary School.

The search for a Wildwood principal, meanwhile, has been re-opened after Easthampton native Jill Pasquini-Torcia, to whom Hochman offered the job, opted for the principal's post at Mosier Elementary School in South Hadley instead.

Newton schools administrator Sandra Delaney and New York University doctoral candidate Catarina da Silva, the other two finalists for the three elementary principal posts, "brought respective strengths forward," but Hochman decided not to recommend either for the position, he said.

Fort River parent Joel Wolfe said he has heard nothing but "rave reviews" for the hiring process, which involved hundreds of parents.

"I'm thrilled with that we've filled three out of four positions," Amherst School Committee Chairman Andy Churchill said. "It was a daunting task and I think we're three-quarters of the way there, so I feel good about it."

Stephen Brewer, who was on the middle school interview committee, said he was pleased with the choice of Cresto. "It must have been an extremely difficult decision," he noted. "I thought both finalists were extremely well qualified."

Brewer said he's particularly impressed with Cresto's ability to listen to a wide range of people and her desire to have the school become more engaged in the community.

"Her interests and abilities in having students do meaningful work in the community, I think, will be a particular strength and exactly what's needed."

Cresto said she and her partner recently bought land in Williamsburg and are planning to build a house there.

Mary Cavalier, the previous principal, left two years ago.

Of the selection of Cresto over the other finalist for the position, Michael Hayes, the current co-principal at the middle school," Churchill said, "I really appreciate Mike's service in stepping in and taking the helm and getting us to this point. It's not that he didn't have a shot at it, but I think given where we are in the evolution of the middle school, we had two very strong candidates and she brings a fresh perspective that will be helpful."

Hochman, in an email to middle school parents, said Cresto, among other attributes, "brings a keen interest in and knowledge of pedagogy focused on the achievement of every student, strengths in facilitation and professional development and many other talents to this position."

The superintendent added that he "would be remiss" if he didn't acknowledge that Hayes is a talented and dedicated teacher who provides "outstanding leadership" and has helped keep the momentum of the school going forward.

Asked by Churchill at an Amherst Regional School Committee meeting, whether Hayes would become vice-principal at the middle school, Hochman said he isn't sure but the default plan would be that Hayes would go back to the job he held before as a math teacher and curriculum developer.

Search goes on

Wildwood parent Molly Whalen, who attended community meetings with all of the candidates, said there were two she and others would have liked to have seen in the position. One of them was Sharick, of Amherst, currently the principal at Fisher Hill Elementary School in Orange, who was appointed to Fort River Elementary School. The other was Pasquini-Torcia.

"I was enthusiastically anticipating, so now I'm disappointed," Whalen said. She said she doesn't know what else could be done but to reopen the search.

"I think it's unfortunate, because we've had two high-turnover principals at our school, and I think it would be good for the whole community if we could settle in with somebody," Whalen said, adding, "Of course, everybody's wondering whether there will be an interim principal."

Hochman has not said yet whether there would be one.

Mark Prince, principal at Wildwood for two years, announced several months ago that he would not be returning to the post next year.

Mary Carey can be reached at mary.carey@att.net.