Belmonte principal stepping down

SAUGUS – Belmonte Middle School Principal Geoff Bruno will be stepping down from his post, but will remain in the district as Director of Curriculum, Accountability and Instruction for all grades, according to Superintendent Richard Langlois.Langlois also said one of the two assistant principals will serve as interim principal at the middle school while he will look for three positions internally to serve as curriculum supervisors for humanities, arts and science, and math and engineering.Langlois announced the change at Thursday?s School Committee meeting, and stressed that the moves are strictly a “reorganization” and noted that he?s not adding anyone to the school payroll.?I?m relying on some grant money and some turnover to make it work,” said Langlois. “This district can no longer function without that role. I?ve never witnessed a district where the superintendent is responsible for curriculum. I?m very comfortable with the actions I?m taking. It?s been thought out for several weeks.”The move will also leave one assistant principal at the Belmonte instead of two, according to Langlois, who also noted Bruno will still oversee construction at the school.School Committee member Arthur Grabowski asked how long Langlois would be able to maintain the position. Langlois said they will work on an interim basis and then he will assess it after a year.?If this works I?ll continue it,” said Langlois. “This is where we need to be.”The committee voted 4-0 to approve the changes and formally voted to approve the school?s $25.6 million budget.In other business, Langlois told the committee that there may be an additional $143,000 in Ch. 70 funding coming to the town after the Massachusetts House and Senate voted on the state budget.Langlois said he was hopeful he would be able to restore the $100,000 that Town Meeting voted to cut from the school?s budget.?In my past experience, we were able to get the budget allocations,” said Langlois.Grabowski said it would be “disingenuous” to not give the extra money to the schools.?I know we?ve been arguing for more Ch. 70 funding for years,”said Grabowski. “I think you?ll find a sympathetic ear. It would be hard to say, ?Now that the state is giving it, we won?t see it.? I think the conversations I?ve had in the past, there seems to be some sympathy for that position.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].