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Saturday, May 18, 2013

By Rachel Levin
Published: September 9, 2004

As the 2004-2005 school year officially commences today, up-Island schools are off to a much-needed fresh start, according to Vineyard schools superintendent Kriner Cash, who appointed interim principals Michael Halt and Diane Gandy last week, after a month-long search.

Mr. Halt, 39, is leaving his assistant principal post at Martha's Vineyard High School to assume the top position at West Tisbury School. Diane Gandy, 56, former principal of the K-5 Juniper Hill School in Framingham and a longtime Oak Bluffs summer resident, will take the controls at Chilmark School.

The two search committees voted unanimously last Wednesday night to appoint both Mr. Halt and Ms. Gandy with one-year contracts.

"I am excited. We've got a good - no, a great - team in place up-Island," said Dr. Cash, who said that the search process, although relatively short in duration, was extremely thorough.

The fact that all interest groups represented in the search reached agreement from among nine qualified candidates, "is a very optimistic and encouraging sign both for the principals and for the community," he said. "It wasn't fractious or contentious. It was consensus."

Speaking on the strengths of each selected candidate, Dr. Cash expressed enthusiasm and confidence. "All the references I called for Ms. Gandy - former superintendents, principals, colleagues - all said she was extremely cool and calm under fire, which of course is important. They said she is a good communicator with parents, loves her students, and that everything she did focused on their interests." He also mentioned that she had taught at the elementary level, which might come in handy if they find that the school in fact needs a teacher. (Right now, he said the only vacancy at Chilmark is for a part-time Spanish teacher, a position for which Ms. Gandy is not qualified.)

As for Mr. Halt, Dr. Cash said that the West Tisbury community needed someone with vitality and a fresh focus who could help bring the staff back together and concentrate on the positive, every day. He said Mr. Halt's natural temperament and enthusiasm makes a good fit.

Did Dr. Cash find the atmosphere to be negative under Elaine Pace, the former West Tisbury principal who resigned in late July after declining a one-year contract after three years serving? "No. I didn't feel that way," he said. "But I have to listen to my constituency. It was a feeling people were expressing during this process. I had to respect the overall sentiment. I was concerned about staff. If the staff is happy, the kids are happy, and if the kids are happy, the parents are happy. It's a domino effect."

The immediate goal for both principals, according to Dr. Cash, is to successfully open the two schools, and that is especially challenging for Chilmark. "Diane has the challenge of her school building being not ready to open," said Dr. Cash. New linoleum flooring is still undergoing installation, forcing the closing of the building these next few days. K-3 students have been relocated to the old Menemsha School, and grades four and five will be housed in the Chilmark Library before they ship out for a week aboard the Shenandoah.

Of her first challenge as Chilmark School principal, Ms. Gandy said the situation is under control. "Menemsha will be ready to welcome students on Thursday morning," she said. "And if we're fortunate, we'll be able to move into the new school by Sept. 20. If it's earlier, all the better."

Dr. Cash also hopes Chilmark, which has an enrollment of 53 students this year (up eight from last year), will reach out to Aquinnah and foster better intra-regional cooperation by sharing resources and staff with West Tisbury.

In West Tisbury, where total enrollment stands at 325 students, down 21 kids from last year (and down in general for the third year in a row), Mr. Halt faces the task of rebuilding the feeling of community.

Overall, Dr. Cash said he would like to see the entire up-Island region refocus on student learning, where the emphasis is on teaching and education rather than on politics and finances. What is most important, he said, is that the kids are learning and are happy.

New on the job

Mr. Halt said he is very excited. "I've had a chance to meet with parents, teachers, and a few students, and people couldn't be friendlier. It's been incredible. "We've got a dedicated staff. My goal is to help the West Tisbury School build on its tradition of excellence."

Ms. Gandy has been preparing all week for the start of school. "It's nice to be back in the swing of things again," she said. "I'm looking forward to working with the staff. They're creative, dedicated team players," she said. "It should be a smooth transition with the staff, students, and parents. We're going to work together to ensure the success of the school."

Ms. Gandy has more than 10 years of principal experience, and 30 years in education in Boston. She has been an Oak Bluffs summer resident all of her life, and moved here last July to live year-round. She said she initially read about the departing up-Island principals in the newspaper. "My first gut reaction was to call and say, I'm here to help. I had no idea this would turn into a new position. I'm very excited. It's something I've always wanted."