With Little Success––

Newtown High School Seeking Half-Time Dean

By Larissa Lytwyn

Since a half-time dean position was approved in the 2003–04 budget, Newtown High School has been trying to hire an appropriate candidate since last May.

“When we first advertised for the position [last May] we had zero applicants,” said Newtown High School Principal William Manfredonia. “We then tried to fill the position internally, but [from our response] soon realized that the position would be extremely difficult to take on in addition to other [educator] responsibilities.”

Mr Manfredonia said the ideal candidate must work with the belief that disciplining a student is, in the long run, in their own best interest, as well as the interest of the school at large.

“We need to be able to ensure everyone’s safety,” Mr Manfredonia said, “and the right candidate should see themselves as a means for an [offending] student’s personal growth and emotional maturity into adulthood.”

Salary would be based on level of experience. “It’s a tough position to fill, because of the nature of the work,” admitted Mr Manfredonia. No one who wants to work in education, he continued, necessarily wants to work in the discipline area.

 During the school board’s December 18 meeting, it was announced that Newtown High School Assistant Principal Jules Triber would be retiring in June after being involved in education for more than 30 years. “In addition to hiring a part-time dean, we will be hiring a new assistant principal,” said Mr Manfredonia.

By next fall, Newtown High School should have, in addition to Assistant Principal Lorrie Aresenian, a new assistant principal and a part-time dean.

“Newtown High School’s population is growing and it is my hope that we can have [the dean] position soon filled by an appropriate candidate,” Mr Manfredonia said.