Interim Hires Made for Carroll Principal and Special Ed Director

Peabody school officials announced today that both the principal position at the and the special education director post have been filled on an interim basis.

Paul Guerrette, a retired elementary school principal from Reading, will serve as the temporary principal at the Carroll, the city's largest elementary school, while Joan Endicott returns to Peabody to lead the special education department until a permanent hire is made.

At his last post before retiring, Guerrette led a successful effort to have the school selected by state education officials as one of seven schools in Massachusetts to be designated a Carnegie School. The 1988 educational reform initiative promoted new practices and governance structures in schools.

The school was also recognized in 2006 for achieving excellence in several major categories of school performance.

Guerrette was named Massachusetts Elementary Principal of the Year in 1994.

“To have the leadership experience of Mr. Gurrette as the principal of the Carroll School for a year will be an advantage for the Carroll School and district,” said Superintendent Joe Mastrocola in an announcement. “Mr. Gurrette has outstanding communication skills that serve both students and parents well.”

Mastrocola says the search for a permanent hire will begin in late fall and include input from various members of the school community. Former Carroll School Principal Cara Murtagh was .

Endicott spent 17 years in the Peabody Public Schools before moving on to become the Director of Student Support Services in the Manchester-Essex Regional School District.

“Joan’s experience and knowledge of our school district and her organization and management skill set is a perfect match for our school district,” said Mastrocola. “Her value in collaborating with colleagues, forming partnerships with staff, parents and students, and developing positive and cost-effective programs to meet the needs of special education students will help us tremendously during our leadership transition in the special education area.”

He said a search team is beginning to interview now for the permanent position. "The hope is to have a candidate in place as soon as possible."

Former Special Education Director Steven Stone become superintendent of that district.