New McKinley Principal Expected, Athletics Supervisor Possible Next Week

The Board of Education is expected to appoint a new principal of McKinley School and possibly a new athletics supervisor next Tuesday.

BOE Human Resources Director Barbara Ball confirmed that the search committee for the McKinley principal's job has recommended finalists to Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan. Dolan is likely to make an offer and recommend a name to the Board of Education to confirm next week.

Ball said the search committee for the athletics job started the first round of interviews for the post last week and second round interviews will continue this week. She said she is hopeful the committee will be in a position to make a recommendation to Dolan this week for the board to fill the job at the June 29 meeting as well.

Ball said the applicant pools for both jobs have been high and there have been both internal and external candidates for both posts.

"We had more than 60 applicants for supervisor of athletics and more than 90 applicants for elementary school principal," she said.

Patch has learned that Sandra Mamary, an athletic trainer at Westfield High School, is among the applicants for the athletics supervisor post. It is not known where she is in the process. Patch has also learned that the McKinley position will be filled by an internal applicant.

Both positions are open due to retirements. McKinley Principal Claudia Andreski is retiring this year after a long career in the district and Athletic Director Ed Tranchina is retiring after 25 years in Westfield. The BOE has voted to redefine and retitle Tranchina's job, including the duty of supervising physical education teachers.

Ball said the two search committees have used a process developed for past searches in the district. She noted the candidates have presented well to the committees and the district will be well served by whomever Dolan appoints.

"There were a lot of candidates who will do well for us," she said.