Parents Speak to Panel about Principal Search

In light of the interactive aspect of this year’s principal search, parents and representatives of the Principal Search Committee convened this past Saturday to discuss the course the Academy should follow in making choices about the school’s future. This meeting marked the end of the search’s involvement of those outside the Search Committee.According to Dean of Faculty Ron Kim, five representatives of the Principal Search Committee, English instructor Barbara Desmond, history instructor emeritus Jack Herney, science instructor Anne Rankin, religion instructor Russell Weatherspoon and himself served as a panel in the meeting.Kim added that roughly 35 parents attended the meeting, and the panel of Search Committee members asked the parents two questions: what are the qualities that we should be looking for in the 15th principal, and what are the challenges and opportunities for the Academy in the coming years?Weatherspoon said that the meeting provided the Search Committee members with a new perspective from inarguably crucial members of the Academy community. “Parents offered many suggestions which were later shared with committee members who could not be present. Like other participants’ comments and suggestions, these help establish the community’s chief concerns, including about Exeter’s distinctive traditions they would like to see continue,” Weatherspoon said. “They experience Exeter directly and through their children. Hearing that experience is crucial for the next principal, as it has been for Principal Hassan.”

Parents who attended the meeting said that they were impressed by the enthusiasm and the dedication their counterparts showed during the session. Bill Hirsch, one of the parents who were present in the meeting, said that the parents’ fervor were evident in discussions.“The discussion was lively, and many people spoke eloquently about their vision of the school, what they want from the school and what they think the school needs to do in the future,” Hirsch said.Kathleen Mahoney, another parent who attended the meeting, echoed Hirsch’s sentiments and emphasized that her counterparts’ care for the Academy’s future was apparent.“There was a very good turnout. The parents were all very willing to contribute. Many parents had comments and constructive feedback. I think a lot of parents care very deeply about the school. They want their opinions heard because the next principal will be a very important part of the school and their child’s experience,” Mahoney said.Mahoney added that the Search Committee members’ dedication and decision to only listen during the meeting was notable. She emphasized that their lack of intervention and contribution in discussions created an atmosphere that allowed parents to voice their thoughts freely.“The members of the search committee were very helpful as they were allowing anyone to say whatever they wanted to say,” Mahoney said. “Their job was not to give feedback, but to listen and to pass along the information that they were hearing to the rest of the Search Committee.”Hirsch said that although the committee members were “friendly, open and thoughtful,” he hoped to hear more from their opinions and thoughts.“I wanted to hear more about how the members of the search committee view the challenges facing the school, the qualities they are looking for in a new principal and the skill set they think is essential for a principal to succeed in this social, cultural and educational environment,” Hirsch said. “I think that would then have, perhaps, led to a more focused and productive discussion.”Both Mahoney and Hirsch, however, agreed that the Committee members granted parents to voice their thoughts openly, which appealed to the parents.“Parents were able to just stand up and say whatever was on their mind while the search committee was actively listening and taking note,” Mahoney said. “The format was good because it allowed parents to say whatever they wanted to say and the amount they wanted to say. The meeting was completely opened for conversations and comments in any way, shape or form.”During the meeting, the discussions focused on topics ranging from merging the Harkness pedagogy with the 21st century’s demands of technology to creating a clear criteria that’s capable of appraising the school’s accomplishments and success.

“[Parents] focused on the need to hold the school accountable by establishing clear criteria to measure the school’s success. To some, that meant college admissions, specifically the school’s success in getting students into the Ivy’s and other top schools, while others thought it meant getting students into the colleges of their choice,” Hirsch said.Parents, however, were most vocal when they debated the necessary qualities in the next principal. Nicole Perry, a member of the Parents’ Principal Search Committee said that the next principal should strive to follow the course that Principal Tom Hassan has created.“Tom Hassan will be a tough act to follow, and the new principal should continue the momentum he has built,” Perry said. “[The next principal’s] first task should be getting to know and listening to the current students, faculty and PEA staff before formulating and articulating their mission for Exeter.”

"Tom Hassan will be a tough act to follow, and the new principal should continue the momentum he has built."

However, Keith Kahan, parent of lower Darius Kahan, believes the next principal should be accepting of change and prepared to address any problems still prevalent after Hassan’s retirement.“I would hope our next principal to be open minded and open to change,” Kahan said. “He or she should be forward thinking and should be concerned about why Andover is becoming more popular than Exeter. Also, it would be nice if he or she also focused on bringing even more fun into Exeter.”Hirsch said that the next principal should not only be able to build a strong relationship with the faculty, staff and students, but also be able to listen and be open to new ideas and criticism. He added that since the responsibilities of a principal can prove to be excessively stressful, the job of a principal should be divided into two.“Since the job is so big and requires so many skill sets, I am in favor of dividing the job, with the principal responsible for such things as the strategic plan, fundraising and communications with the outside world, and a dean or assistant principal with the authority and independence to run the school day to day,” Hirsch said. “I also think the search committee should resist the temptation common in private schools today to view the principal as an administrator or a CEO, rather than an educator.”Kim said that all of the parents’ contributions were insightful and helpful for the Search Committee. “There is clearly keen interest in whom Exeter selects for the next principal. The level of engagement is wonderful to see, and the contributions have been essential to the process,” he said.