Schools

Levine Now Looking for Veteran Principal on Interim Basis for PVMHS

Given the major staffing transition to occur this summer and the size of the high school, Dr. Levine says he wants an experienced principal at the helm of Peabody High for the next year.

Interim School Superintendent Herb Levine says really needs an experienced principal on the job at least for the next year, given the fact that a new superintendent is also coming on board. Another concern is the sheer size of the school -- typically around 1,800 students.

Edward Sapienza, who has been the PVMHS principal since 2007, after 40 years in public education, most of them in Peabody.

Levine said he initially advertised the job about a month ago and did get some good candidates. He said two veteran principals ended up backing out of the process and the remaining two candidates did not have prior experience as principals.

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Under different circumstances, he said, he still would have considered hiring one of them for the job.

At this point, Levine, who is also ending his tenure in Peabody in three weeks, said an interim veteran principal is a better option for the high school. With Joseph Mastrocola taking over as superintendent on July 1, the final decision on that hire will still likely be left to him.

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As a personnel matter, the School Committee is not required to sign off who that person is.

Levine said he hasn't spoken with Sapienza to see if he's interested in extending his stay, but added that he would certainly consider him for the interim role if Sapienza applies for it.

Levine said job was posted again with www.schoolspring.com and the Massachusetts Assocation of School Committees earlier this week.

Sapienza earned $126,217 in 2011, but his salary was slightly lower than that at $122,881.


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