The Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee has extended the contract of interim Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong through the 2014-2015 academic year at the advice of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, which has “encouraged school districts to evaluate internal candidates in order to retain stability in leadership wherever possible” in light of a statewide staff shortage at the senior level, according to a press release from the committee. Wong has agreed not to seek a position with another district during the 2013-2014 school year.
The full text of the October 1 release is below.
The Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee today announced that it has voted unanimously to extend the contract of Bella Wong, Interim Superintendent/Principal, through the 2014-2015 academic year in order to provide continuity of leadership during a period in which many administrators at the high school are new to their roles and several important initiatives are being implemented. In connection with this contract extension, Ms. Wong has agreed not to seek positions with other districts during the 2013-2014 school year.
The School Committee’s decision to extend Ms. Wong’s contract followed consultation with Glenn Koocher, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). With over 30 Massachusetts communities currently seeking school superintendents and retirements depleting the ranks of experienced candidates, MASC is encouraging school districts to evaluate internal candidates in order to retain stability in leadership wherever possible. The School Committee plans to re-evaluate its strategy for hiring a permanent Superintendent-Principal at the end of the current academic year, with input from the community, based on the circumstances existing at that time.
Ms. Wong will have leadership responsibility for several important initiatives over the next academic year, including implementation of the new statewide educator evaluation process and oversight over evolving student assessment standards. She is also expected to play an important role in promoting student achievement and fiscal responsibility during collective bargaining negotiations scheduled to begin in 2014. Finally, with the district’s seeking to improve the high school’s inadequate educational technology infrastructure, Ms. Wong’s continued leadership will help ensure that these improvements are geared towards student learning.
“We are pleased to have extended Bella’s contract for an additional year in order to provide stable leadership at an important time,” said Radha Gargeya, Chair of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee. “She has worked very hard since arriving at Lincoln-Sudbury in July to understand the high school and its values, build strong relationships with veteran faculty and staff, and integrate new members of the school community effectively. By extending her contract, we expect to reap the benefits of this work for the benefit of our students.”
Ms. Wong joined Lincoln-Sudbury in July as Interim Superintendent/Principal following five years as Superintendent and six years as Assistant Superintendent in the Wellesley Public Schools. She began her career in education at Lincoln-Sudbury, serving as a biology teacher, science department coordinator, and president of the Teachers’ Association. Ms. Wong has served as a member of the Weston School Committee and the Minuteman Regional School Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Harvard College, conducted graduate study in molecular biology at Stanford University, earned a law degree from the University of California, Davis, and has a master’s degree in education from Harvard University.