While previously holding off on a hire due to state budget concerns, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Cronin made the call that two administrators are not enough to handle the workload at the North Haven Middle school, and recommended a search begin to fill an assistant principal vacancy.

At its Sept. 14 meeting, the Board of Education (BOE) voted to move forward with a search to fill the position left vacant due to retirement at the end of the 2016-’17 school year.

Cronin said the position is in this year’s budget, however it was not filled immediately due to state budget uncertainty, with declining student population also a consideration.

“I wanted to be sure that I evaluated responsibly; do we need to fill the position or could we use those resources for something else that we need in the district?” asked Cronin.

The population of the middle school is more than 700 students, which Cronin said is a large population for two administrators, particularly with the addition of the second floor at the school.

Cronin explained that the assistant principal role is responsible for student discipline and supervision, maintaining a safe and orderly environment, and communicating with parents. The assistant principal also assists with program evaluation and development, as well as conducting teacher supervision and evaluations.

“The workload would really require a third person to be done appropriately,” said Cronin,

Two BOE members voted “No” on moving forward at the September meeting, including Jennifer Caldwell, who said she felt she didn’t have enough information to make an informed decision on the topic.

“As a board member, it is my responsibility to do due diligence before making a budgetary decision that will have a lasting impact,” she said.

Caldwell wanted to know the administrator/student ratio in surrounding or comparable districts, as well as the cost comparison of an assistant principal versus a dean of students, and moving an administrator from the high school to the middle school, replaced by a dean of students at the high school.

Cronin said the role of a dean of students is primarily to deal with discipline, and that such a position wouldn’t be able to perform the administrative functions of an assistant principal. He believes the middle school and the high school are too large to share an administrator, adding that the person would be limited due to dual locations.

“I am not against adding a position if it has a positive impact on student achievement,” said Caldwell, “I believe we should invest in public education. I don’t think we should continue to fill positions just because we have had that position in the past.”

A screening committee has been formed for the assistant principal search and recently held its organizational meeting. The committee is made up of central office administrators, Middle School Principal Philip Piazza and Assistant Principal Paul Castiglione, two middle school teachers, a BOE member, and a parent.

Cronin said the position has attracted more than 200 applicants.

“What we’re looking for is someone with a strong teaching background, someone with knowledge of special education and the special education process, somebody who is innovative and has some examples of innovations they’ve brought to their current positions,” said Cronin.

The process for a candidate will be an initial interview, performance task, second interview, interview with the superintendent and assistant superintendent, and a final interview with the BOE. Cronin is hopeful the final candidates will come before the BOE by November.