Education

January 27. 2013 9:28PM

Pinkerton Academy in Derry set to begin search for headmaster

By ADAM SWIFT
Union Leader Correspondent

DERRY - The Pinkerton Academy board of trustees is beginning the process to replace current headmaster Mary Anderson.

Anderson will be retiring in June of 2014. She announced her impending retirement to the trustees last April.

Anderson said her contract required a two-year notification for leaving her position, hence the long lead time for the search for a replacement.

The 2013-14 school year will be her 39th year at the school, she said.

The Pinkerton trustees are hosting a public forum on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Freshman Academy Lecture Hall at the school at 7 p.m.

"The purpose of this forum is to enlist the help of all sending communities to find out what criteria, qualities and characteristics we want in the new headmaster of Pinkerton Academy," trustee Kimberly Smith said.

To help with the search process, the trustees have drafted a preliminary version of a job description of the headmaster position to assist with the search process.

According to the draft, the position requires administrative certification by the New Hampshire Department of Education, a master's degree with at least five years of administrative experience and seven years of high school teaching experience.

The preferred list of qualifications include experience working with state and regional accreditation agencies, a doctorate in education or relevant field experience, experience working with state officials and boards, and external resource development, grants and fundraising experience.

Further, the draft job description lists bullet points for leadership, financial background, skills and knowledge and personal characteristics.

Some of the leadership qualities highlighted include superior management skills, a history of leading and managing a department, and a track record of success in hiring faculty and staff members who are well suited to meet a school's needs.

Among the skills preferred are superb communication and interpersonal skills and experience as a classroom teacher and academic leader who has refined curriculum, incorporated innovative approaches to education into an existing program, and demonstrated a commitment to customizing education to meet a variety of learning styles and student needs.

Personal characteristics mentioned in the job description include being a person of unquestioned honesty and integrity who deals with others in a straightforward fashion and demonstrating that he or she is visible, approachable, and an accessible leader engaged in the daily life of the school.
aswift@unionleader.com