Lynn Classical job up for grabs

LYNN – Four candidates will interview for the right to replace Classical High School Principal Warren White tonight in a public interview at the School Administration Building.Deputy Superintendent Jaye Warry will lead a panel of parents, teachers, School Committee members and administrators through four 30-minute interviews to determine who should be next in line for one of the department’s highest profile positions.White announced his retirement earlier this year, effective when his contract ends Aug. 31.Of the four candidates, three are experienced Lynn educators already employed at the school, including vice principals Eugene Constantino and Richard Sakowich. The third Classical candidate is Judith Taylor, a long time school guidance counselor who has been acting principal at the Classical Freshman Academy on North Common Street for the past two years.Ninth-grade students were displaced to the high school’s former location two years ago when construction began on the new school’s sinking foundation. While many in the city were apprehensive at sending students away from the main building, the academy has been considered a huge success.Students will return to O’Callaghan way this September, but both White and Taylor have spoken publicly about a desire to keep the academy intact even as it has moved to the new building.If Taylor is selected as White’s replacement, she will be the first woman to hold the job in the over 100-year history of the school.The lone outside candidate vying for the position, which was publicly posted in early June, is Mathew Poska, principal of Briscoe Middle School in Beverly.Sakowich will begin the first of the 30-minute interviews at 5:30, followed by Poska, Constantino and Taylor.The format will be similar to the one used under former Superintendent Nicholas Kostan, with each candidate given an opportunity for an opening statement, followed by one question from each panel member. Once the questions are asked, panel members will be given the opportunity to ask one follow up before each candidate is allowed a final statement.The panel will consist of Warry, who will oversee the proceedings but not ask any questions, School Committee members John Ford and Jeff Newhall, Executive Director of Curriculum and Development Sue Rowe, Marshall Middle School Vice Principal Steve Dickerson, one teacher from Classical and one parent of a Classical student, both to be determined.Warry said other School Committee members are welcome to attend and participate in the interviews if they so desire.Superintendent Catherine Latham, who has the final say on who gets the job, will be in attendance at the interviews but will participate sparingly unless she feels strongly that a question needs to be asked.”The Superintendent by law has the final authority over the decision, and I can assure you she is taking it very, very seriously as she has done with every decision she has to make,” said Warry. “This is a very important appointment.”Latham could make her decision immediately following the interviews or wait to think about who she would like to choose. Either way, Warry said she expected tonight’s proceedings to be the only interviews held.The interviews are open to the public and will take place beginning at 5:30 p.m. tonight in the second floor staff development room at 90 Commercial St.