SC launches principal searches at Galvin, JFK

With the recent approval of new contracts for School Superintendent Derek Folan and Assistant Superintendent Sarah Shannon, the Canton School Committee is now turning its attention to principal searches at the Galvin Middle School and, to the surprise of the committee, the Kennedy Elementary School.

As noted at last Thursday’s meeting, JFK Principal Emily DiDonna, in a February 18 letter, informed members of the school community that should would not be returning next year.

“While it is bittersweet and there are so many people and things that I will miss, it is ultimately the right choice for me and my family,” DiDonna said. “I am in the process of figuring out what lies ahead for me but wanted to alert the district as early as possible so that there is ample time for a thorough process to find your next principal.”

DiDonna said she plans to finish the current school year and will be “present, committed and supportive” until her last day on the job. “Thank you, families and students, for the wonderful ways in which you have welcomed me and partnered with us during my time here,” she said.

Parents who are interested in serving on search committees for either the GMS or JFK principal position should contact Julie Shore at 781-821-5060, ext. 1158 or shorej@cantonma.org.

In other news, Shannon and Stephen Marshall, CPS director of finance and operations, both of whom helped author Canton’s application to the Mass. School Building Authority for reimbursement funds to renovate or rebuild the Galvin Middle School, provided some additional information about the process going forward. With Canton having been formally invited into the MSBA’s Core Program, Marshall said the entire process from design to construction could take around five to seven years. One of the next major steps is completion of a feasibility study, which will cost the town an estimated $1.5 million. School officials have proposed using town cash reserves to fund the project and the Finance Committee is also on board. Marshall said the final reimbursement percentages will not be decided until the feasibility study is complete but noted that the MSBA has started with a base reimbursement rate of 31 percent and typically it ranges between 40 and 45 percent.

In other news from the March 10 meeting:

* The School Committee revised its COVID-19 protocols to reflect the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advisory that communities do not need to enforce …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Mar 18 2022. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.