MALDEN — Malden High School second-year principal Ted Lombardi announced Thursday afternoon he would be leaving in early January to take a job in another district.
“Returning to my hometown to work with the amazingly wonderful students we have here has been such a blessing. I signed on here with the thought that this would be the job I would retire from 20 years from now,” Lombardi, a Malden native, said in an email.
Lombardi was hired in February 2016 to succeed former principal Dana Brown, who had been there 12 years. Before coming to Malden High he served as principal at Lawrence High School for three years.
Lombardi said he actually made the decision he would not be returning Malden High School for the next school year (2018-19) and began looking for other professional opportunities in the region. In an email, he said he wished to pursue a position he found that suited him now. “I came across an opportunity that starts far sooner than I anticipated, an opportunity that I cannot pass up for myself and my family,” Lombardi said.
Lombardi’s last day will be January 4, 2018, according to Superintendent of Schools John Oteri. Oteri said a search for a new Malden High principal would begin in January and would start with focus groups made up of staff, students, parents and community members.
“(We want) to identify qualities and traits for the next principal of our high school in order to meet the high expectations that our students and community deserve,” Oteri said.
The superintendent said nine-year Malden High Assistant Principal Chris Mastrangelo will serve as interim principal.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank (Lombardi) for his leadership and service to Malden High School and our students,” Oteri said. “(Lombardi), a native of Malden, returned to his hometown and made a positive and strong connection with our students.”
