New Tech principal adjusting to role

LYNN – While the move to replace former Lynn Vocational and Technical Institute Director Brian Coughlin with Breed Middle School Principal James Ridley this week may be a positive step for both schools, the transition from the middle school level to a vocational high school has already been an adjustment for the one-time LVTI graduate.Officially taking over as principal Monday, Ridley was thrust into the fire at LVTI, taking over a 1,200-student population that spans three buildings, all while attempting to become familiar with his new programs and surroundings.”To start a job in the middle of the year, you have to know that things are already up and running,” he said Tuesday. “You have to try and take a back seat. Just try to observe everything.”Observing is Ridley’s primary role at this point, although he was tapped to take over the school in part because of “leadership issues” under Coughlin. Ridley says it will take a few weeks to understand what is working and what isn’t before he implements any changes.”It is going to take about a month to get to know how things run. Most things are running great, and if they are running great we will keep them that way. If things need to be changed, then we will have to take a look at them,” he said. “Right now I am just trying to put names to faces, faces to names and see how the place is being run. This is a great school with a real history, and I want to support our students and teachers.”One advantage Ridley has is that his long tenure as Breed principal has resulted in many familiar faces roaming the halls at LVTI. He plans on meeting with every grade separately in the coming weeks to introduce himself, but noted that he is recognizing a lot of students from his days as their principal in middle school.”Coming from Breed, there is probably about 400-500 students that I recognize,” he said. “Then again, some of the students don’t even know there is a new guy here.”Ridley spent a few days during the vacation week becoming familiar with the school and meeting much of the staff. He says he has full staff meeting scheduled this week to get to know everyone.The largest challenge moving to the school has been the large area that he must cover as principal. Although the three buildings are in close proximity to one another, Ridley is relying heavily on his staff, intercom system and Nextel walkie-talkie phone to stay in constant contact with the entire school.For now, Ridley says he will not institute any new rule changes or attempt to make a mark on students right away. He is just focused on creating a comfort level, and learning what it is he has to do to improve the quality of life at the city’s vocational school.”I had a staff meeting, but it was a little bit short notice, so not everyone could attend. I have met with guidance councilors and department heads, but the best way I’m finding to meet the students is to walk through the lunch room,” he said. “We will continue to follow the rules set by the department and the School Committee, those rules are set and I’m not going to change anything. But there are still situations where you need to enforce those rules.”Superintendent Nicholas Kostan made the decision to replace Coughlin with Ridley in early February, promoting Assistant Principal Robert Frodema to interim principal at Breed.