By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — That’s a wrap.
Manchester-Essex Regional High School Principal Patricia Puglisi was named as the next principal of Lynnfield High School last week. She will be succeeding current LHS Principal Bob Cleary, who will be retiring at the end of June after leading Lynnfield High for the past 15 years. He also served as the high school’s assistant principal from 2002 through 2008
“Ms. Puglisi brings extensive high school experience along with many years as a high school administrator to LHS,” Superintendent Kristen Vogel stated in a letter sent to parents and guardians on Feb. 2. “She was a history teacher and department head at Masconomet Regional High School, assistant principal at Reading Memorial High School and has been the principal at Manchester-Essex Regional High School for the past 10 years.”
Puglisi has served as Manchester-Essex Regional High School’s principal since July 2013. While Puglisi stated on her resume that she enjoyed leading Manchester-Essex, she applied for the Lynnfield High principal job because it will “provide opportunities for growth.”
According to Puglisi’s resume, she worked as Reading Memorial High School’s assistant principal for curriculum and instruction from July 2009 through June 2013.
Puglisi served as the Social Studies Department chair at Masconomet Regional High School from September 2006-July 2009. She taught history at Masco from September 2000 through June 2006.
According to Puglisi’s resume, she worked as a loan officer at Stoneham Bank from January 1995 through June 2000. She served as the construction coordinator for Wilmington-based Presidential Development from September 1991 through August 1995. She taught history at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School from September 1990-June 1991.
Puglisi received a bachelor of arts in History from Boston College in May 1990. She was awarded a master of arts in History Teaching from Salem State College in June 2003. She earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Salem State College in May 2009.
Vogel informed the Villager that 21 applicants applied for the Lynnfield High School principal job. She said the Principal Interview Committee interviewed four candidates, and she watched the interviews.
“During her interview, Ms. Puglisi talked about the importance of creating a safe and supportive learning environment that prioritizes student voice and choice along with high expectations for all students,” Vogel stated in the letter sent to parents and guardians. “Ms. Puglisi also spoke to the importance of relationships within our school community. Moreover, she is well aware of Lynnfield High School’s reputation and is eager to go ‘all in’ as our next leader. As part of the transition process, we will provide families with the opportunity to meet Ms. Puglisi this spring and summer. I want to thank the Principal Interview Committee for their thoughtfulness and commitment to this process.”
School Committee Chair Rich Sjoberg agreed.
“I would like to thank the entire Principal Search Committee for each of their individual efforts which brought the district to hiring Ms. Puglisi as our next LHS principal,” Sjoberg wrote on his Facebook page. “Her determination to create new opportunities on behalf of all students and staff is outstanding.”
School Committeeman Jamie Hayman echoed Sjoberg’s sentiment in a Facebook post.
“Welcome to Lynnfield Ms. Puglisi,” Hayman wrote on his Facebook page. “Special thanks to all members of the search committee. Looking forward to exciting things at LHS.”
