Sign of times: one principal for two schools

As a sign of the budgetary times, Shead High School Principal Paul Theriault will take on the additional duties of principal of the Eastport Elementary School. "It's not even close to ideal, but times have changed," Theriault said when asked by Eastport School Committee Chair Will Bradbury what it would take to have one principal for both schools. The announcement of Theriault taking on both schools was made at the end of a special meeting held by the school committee on the evening of September 23, after elementary school Principal Terry Charlton announced her resignation effective October 4 at the regularly scheduled school committee meeting held earlier in the month.
"I'm looking forward to it," said Theriault of his new and expanded duties. He reassured the over 30 school staff and parents in attendance at the meeting, "It will be better than you think. I'm not a top-down manager, I'll be asking for your help."
Prior to entering executive session to discuss taking action on the position, the school board listened to audience members express their concerns about both the challenges of having one principal to oversee two schools and the math teaching vacancy created now that Charlton, a teaching principal, will be leaving. Charlton had taught two math classes daily. While the board entertained the possibility of looking for a long‑term substitute teacher to fill the position, upon returning from executive session it decided to advertise for both a part‑time and full‑time teacher. Chair Will Bradbury explained, "We won't get both," but he and the other board members hoped that advertising both options might broaden the applicant pool.
Of the comments provided by the public, many echoed each other with concerns that one principal would be stretched too thin. Jon Calame, an Eastport resident, suggested that the island city is home to a number of retired community members with careers in education and administration who might be willing to step in as an interim principal for the elementary school. Educator Damon Weston said, "As a high school teacher and as someone who loves Shead, I think it would be a big mistake to take Paul away." He then suggested that the board look at why Charlton had submitted her resignation. "We should stick with two principals," he added. Educator Judy Richardson pointed out that a number of years ago, "We did have one principal, she was very competent, but it was overwhelming."
Theriault told the board, "There are some structural things we can look at," based on what other schools have done facing the same kinds of challenges. He anticipates spending at the start a significant amount of time at the elementary school in order to get to know the staff, the students, the building and elementary education as a whole. The board and Theriault agreed that evaluating how things are going will be important to do on a regular basis. The principal's official starting date in both capacities will be October 4, but Theriault expects to be over at the elementary school before that time in order to start the transition and learning process.