One month after a finalist candidate for Staples High School principal abruptly withdrew her candidacy for the position, the Westport school district has announced that another finalist has been selected.
An announcement from the office of Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon did not identify the candidate but said the person would be available Wednesday, July 6 for community interviews.
It said the candidate was selected after an extensive search and interviews with several potential principals by a selection committee made up of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the superintendent.
Students, staff, parents, members of the Westport community, and government officials will have the opportunity to meet the candidate in three sessions � 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the announcement said.
All sessions will be held in Town Hall Room 307/309.
“As is customary when the school system seeks a top administrator, if feedback from these community focus groups is positive, the Board of Education will interview the candidate,” the announcement said.
It added, “While an administrative appointment requires a recommendation by the superintendent, the Board of Education has the final decision-making responsibility.”
On May 24, one day after meeting with Westport parents, teachers, and community members, Diana Lindsay, principal at Ridgefield High School, abruptly withdrew her candidacy for the position. She later said she changed her mind about leaving Ridgefield.
A search committee had identified her as the finalist candidate to replace interim Principal John Dodig who has held the post for a year. Dodig has filled in for John Brady, the Staples principal who left for a superintendent’s job in another Connecticut district.
