Ellis Chosen Superintendent of Williamstown Elementary School
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williamstown Elementary School Committee has chosen Rose Ellis, now principal of Douglas Elementary School, as school superintendent, a post advertised with an $85,000 salary.
In less than 45 minutes Monday night, committee members cited Ellis' energy and enthusiasm, along with her qualifications for the post.
"We're all confident this is the best person for this job," said Chairman George "Sam" Crane after the unanimous vote.
"We're picking a great candidate," said Peter Giordano, a school committee member who served on the search committee.
During the discussion, Giordano said, "one thing about Rose, the dynamic of the school would change in ways visible to the public."
The committee chose Ellis over the other finalist, June Gilch, assistant superintendent for curriculum in the Attleboro School District. The third finalist, Kathy Chesley, head of the Hopkinton (N.H.) Independent School, had withdrawn her name from consideration after her public interview last Wednesday, March 22, saying she thought her background was not the right match for the job.
School committee members said they thought both Ellis and Gilch would do the job well. But while committee member Molly Magavern praised Gilch — "She's a very deep thinker with a wealth of knowledge and understanding" — Magavern and the others opted for Ellis' energy and hands-on approach.
Said Magavern, "Rose demonstrates a tremendous amount of educational leadership. Clearly, she can take up the challenges and juggle lots of balls.
"She's a very hands-on person, a very hands-on principal. She showed a tremendous amount of energy, interest and enthusiasm for the position.
"Rose showed she wouldn't walk in and say 'here's what you people need.'"
Instead, said Magavern, Ellis plans to meet one-on-one with the staff.
Ellis, said another, is "more energized about connections with outside organizations."
Ellis, contacted by telephone yesterday, said "I'm delighted."
"It's a terrific community."
Ellis said she was particularly impressed by the community's support of the school.
"There's strong community support for and involvement in education," said Ellis. "I feel privileged to be able to walk into that.
"I'm looking forward to joining a very committed community of educators and parents and town residents."
Ellis said she had been eager to apply for the post after having read about the school's building project on a visit she and her husband made to Williamstown.
"We have enjoyed coming out to the Berkshires for the art and culture," she said.
A New York City native, Ellis completed her doctorate in education degree in educational leadership from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I., last year. Her dissertation topic was "Sources of Principals' Understanding of School Restructuring."
She holds advanced degrees from Worcester State College and City University of New York, Queens College, where she earned a master of science in 1975 and a bachelor of science, both in early childhood education, in 1970.
She has been principal at Douglas Elementary School since 1992. From 1985 to 1992, she was head teacher for first grade and taught fourth grade. From 1975 to 1985, she taught in the Franklin public schools, and from 1970 to 1975, in the New York City public schools as bilingual and kindergarten teacher.
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