Moss is new Veterans interim principal

SAUGUS – Veterans Elementary School assistant principal Kelly Moss was named interim principal this week by Superintendent Richard Langlois.Moss will be filling in for former principal Uri Harel who, after five years as the head of the Veterans School, left last month to take a position with the Somerville School District.School Committee member Arthur Grabowski said he was happy with the decision.?I think he?s done an excellent job there,” said Grabowski. “I like to see people promoted from within. He?s been there for a while, he?s a very personable guy, he?s very involved and I think he?ll do a great job.” “A search committee was planned to find a replacement for Hurel, but Grabowski said the timing wasn?t right to start looking for a new principal, especially when most qualified candidates have already been scooped up by other schools.?I don?t think it?s the right time to start looking for a principal at the start of a school year,” said Grabowski. “This kind of relieves the pressure. The pool of candidates right now is very short because everybody has already taken jobs. Your better qualified candidates show up earlier in the process, not later.”School Committee Chair Wendy Reed said it should be a smooth transition for Moss and his experience in curriculum and assessment make him well qualified for the job.?Being the vice principal there he?s familiar with the school, of course,” said Reed. “It?s not like someone starting out new. He knows all the people, he knows the procedures that are in place so it?s not a learning curve like when you hire someone new.”Reed said the district still plans to advertise the full-time position some time in January and Moss will receive an evaluation regardless of whether he chooses to pursue it.But, if Moss excels as principal, Grabowski said it will make the search process a lot easier.?I?ve seen a lot of positions where at some point in time they get evaluated and if they?ve done a great job they?ll just offer them the position without a search,” said Grabowski. “The superintendent made a great choice. He?s obviously qualified and it?s a chance for him to shine. If he shines then why not give him the job?”