Webutuck hopes for feedback on survey for new principal

WEBUTUCK — In preparation for Webutuck High School (WHS) Principal Katy McEnroe’s retirement next summer, the North East (Webutuck) Central School District (WCSD) created a survey to garner input from the community as to the kind of leader residents would like to see fill the position.

“We give our best to Katy and wish her good luck in her next chapter of life,” said Superintendent of Schools Raymond Castellani. “She’s been with the district many years and served the district well.”

McEnroe’s retirement will be effective come Thursday, June 30. The Millerton News will take a look back at her time in the WCSD in a future edition.

For McEnroe’s replacement, Castellani said what Webutuck is hoping for someone with a true sense of the community, district parents, students and staff.

The survey is seeking input from residents on their feelings of the type of leader Webutuck needs at the high school — in the best of times and in the worst of times.

“I believe that any high school is the beacon of any school district in any town,” Castellani said, “and the person we need to hire has to be someone who will make sure that the light from that beacon shines brightly.”

Castellani issued a letter to the Webutuck school community on Tuesday, Dec. 7, in regard to the district’s plans to work “collaboratively with families, teachers and the community in filling this position.”

A copy may be found online at www.webutuckschools.org.

Concerning the search, Castellani said the most important qualities McEnroe’s successor should have include helping students succeed. He added her replacement should be someone who cares deeply about children; the superintendent said he’s looking for an educator and administrator who can “walk the walk and talk the talk.”

He’s also searching for someone who can hold students and staff accountable for reaching those expectations; who is an instructional leader who can manage a tight ship and someone who “knows rules have to be followed.”

To help in the search process, the district is seeking  four parent volunteers to serve on the WHS Principal Search Committee. Those interested in volunteering to serve on the search committee should email Castellani at Raymond.Castellani@webutuck.org no later than Monday, Jan. 10.

Castellani noted if there are more interested volunteers than spots available on the committee, search committee participants will be chosen by a random lottery.

Opportunities to serve on the committee will be provided to all those who contact the superintendent, who will then meet with the finalists and give his input before a final decision is made.

Aided by the information shared in the survey, the WHS Principal Search Committee will be in charge of reviewing application materials and conducting interviews with qualified candidates before presenting a final list of candidates for consideration to Castellani and the Board of Education (BOE).

The final hiring decision will then be made by the superintendent and the BOE.

The survey may be found online at www.docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeS1rC0YsGr4GLvuO8Ypu6SsIaEG27LCNzI... or by clicking on the link included in Castellani’s letter online.

The survey will close on Wednesday, Jan. 5, and its results will be shared at the Webutuck Board of Education (BOE) meeting on Monday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. For more details, go to www.webutuckschools.org.