Schools

In Search of a New High School Leader

School Committee members thanked departing high school Principal Layne Millington after learning he has taken a job as Marblehead High School's new principal.

School Committee members wished the best to departing Swampscott High Principal Layne Millington at the start of their meeting Wednesday.

The committee also looked ahead.

"We'll do the best we can to get a leader at the high school," said member Ted Delano.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Committee Chairman Larry Beaupre thanked Millington for his work, noting that if Swampscott couldn't have him as its principal it was good know that he would be working in the town next door.

Patch will report on the district's plans to replace Millington as they become available.  

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Marblehead Superintendent of Schools Greg Maass told teachers and staff on Wednesday afternoon that Layne Millington would be the new principal at Marblehead High School.

Millington, formerly the assistant principal at Belmont High School, has been at the helm at Swampscott High since July 2010.

The Marblehead principal search started in January when a screening committee of parents and students and anyone else who cared to be on the panel recommended eight applicants to an interview committee.

The interview committee, also made up of parents and students and anyone else who cared to be on the panel, conducted interviews and narrowed the field to four finalists.

One of them subsequently accepted a position elsewhere.

The other two finalists were Deb Heaton, Marblehead High's interim principal, and Edward Rozmiarek, Lowell High headmaster.

The Marblehead superintendent interviewed the finalists before February vacation.

Meanwhile, Swampscott is in the early stages of a search for superintendents, seeking an interim superintendent and a permanent superintendent.

Earlier this month, members of the Swampscott School Committee including Delano  sought to keep the Swampscott High principal in Swampscott by bringing forth a motion that would have made Millington superintendent in January of 2014.

That motion was later withdrawn after debate between supporters and opponents. Opponents argued that any choice for superintendent should first go through a selection process.

Earlier, we asked the principal for any thoughts he cared to share about his possible move to another position.

He said his experience with the students, faculty and parents at Swampscott High has been incredible.  

"Through their work, the school has grown immensely by every measure of achievement in an extraordinary way," he said.  "However, I am looking at my professional options for the sake of my family and to ensure my own professional growth."

Here is a press release from Marblehead schools on the choice of Millington:

Layne Millington brings seven years of high school leadership experience to Marblehead Public Schools.

Marblehead Public Schools announces, after a comprehensive search and site visit, that Layne Millington has been offered the High School Principalship, effective July 1, 2013.  The new instructional leader is coming from Swampscott where he has been lead principal and has prior high school leadership experience from Belmont. His thoughtful collaborative style and many accomplishments will surely make him a strong asset to Marblehead’s high school.

Superintendent Greg Maass of Marblehead Public Schools is pleased to bring Layne Millington on board.  Millington is a seasoned high functioning Principal who has many accomplishments. He has led the NEASC accreditation process in his last position. His strong financial background from the private sector ensures his strong budget building skills. Layne comes with the knowledge of the new X2/Aspen Student Management System that Marblehead is implementing this spring.  He has also been very successful with building METCO programs in his past school districts.  His colleagues and peers had positive comments to describe him, such as: he is genuine, a decision maker, he truly cares about all students and faculty, he has an open door policy, he never turns anyone away, he is a great listener, he is not afraid to make effective change.  Everything that Layne Millington has to offer will strengthen Marblehead’s high performing high school.

Marblehead’s screening and interview committees are pleased to learn about the selection of Layne Millington for High School Principal and look forward to Marblehead Public Schools continued excellence in serving the students and community of Marblehead.


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