PEABODY — Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Principal Steven Magno is stepping down to accept a new position as the district’s Director of Student Services.
“While I am excited about my new position, it is also bittersweet,” Magno said in a letter posted on Facebook. “It’s been an honor to serve as Principal of PVMHS the last two years working with amazing teachers, students, and families.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Josh Vadala said the new position is part of a larger restructuring of the district administration which began with the addition of Dr. Mark Higgins earlier this year as the new assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services.
According to Vadala, Higgins is responsible for overseeing special education for students ages 3-22 and overseeing student services.
“This includes, 504s, Title IX, school safety, attendance, discipline, health and wellness, guidance and other services to support our staff and students,” said Vadala, adding that Magno will report directly to Higgins and “provide support in these critical areas.”
During a school committee meeting last week, School Committee member Joseph Amico made a motion to get rid of Magno’s new position.
Amico said he is OK with honoring a contract of an employee, but he is not OK with creating a new position.
“I think it’s a duplicate position,” Amico said. “Again, I’m OK with honoring the contract, but I would like to cut that pupil service position.”
When giving background to the situation, Amico said it took about six years to get the position that Higgins is now in and it took a lot of work. After creating Higgins’ position, the district then interviewed and hired someone for special education and pupil director, working under Higgins, who Amico said is phenomenal and will do an incredible job.
He feels that the newly created position of director of student services that Magno is filling is a duplicate of the ladder position, so he requested to have the title be removed and suggested having the superintendent find another position for Magno.
“I do not think a newly created position under that position at the central office is needed,” Amico said.
Amico made a motion to cut the position, but that motion was voted down 4-2.
Vadala said that the principal position to replace Magno at PVMHS has been posted and they hope to name a replacement by June 1.
“During the past two years, he (Magno) has navigated unprecedented challenges of health and safety protocols and ever changing guidance. Mr. Magno consistently put students at the forefront of his decisions,” Vadala said. “We look forward to his contributions to the district as Director of Student services.”
