Masconomet Middle School Principal Finalists

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce the Finalists for the position of Principal of Masconomet Middle School: Mr. Terry Conant and Dr. Philip McManus. In the next two weeks, each Finalist will spend one day visiting Masconomet Middle School to meet with members of the school community. Mr. Conant will visit Masconomet on Tuesday, January 28th. Dr. McManus’s visit will be on Tuesday, February 4th. Both visits will conclude with an Open Forum for each Finalist to meet with parents and interested members of the community at 6:30 PM in the Masconomet Middle School Library. Participants in these sessions will be asked to provide written feedback on the candidates. I hope that you will be able to attend these sessions and provide me with your impressions on the candidates.

Here’s some brief info on each finalist:

Mr. Terry Conant

Mr. Terry Conant is currently an Assistant Principal at Beverly Middle School, a position he has held since 2011. Prior to this position, Mr. Conant worked in Beverly as a Middle School Technology Instructor, and a Grade 6 Science Teacher. Prior to working in Beverly, he held teaching positions at both the middle and elementary school levels in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Mr. Conant holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Studies from Plymouth State College, a Master’s of Education Degree in Teaching with Technology from Cambridge College, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Leadership in Education from Salem State University. Attached is a link to Mr. Conant’s Resume.

Dr. Philip McManus

Dr. Philip McManus has held the position of Assistant Principal at Marblehead Veterans Middle School since 2015. Before working in Marblehead, Dr. McManus served as the Principal of St. Raphael School, an Elementary School in Medford, MA, as the Dean of Admissions at St. John’s Prep, and as an English Teacher at St. John’s Prep, Beverly High School, and Triton Regional High School. Dr. McManus holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Fairfield University, a Master’s Degree in Education from Salem State University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Boston College. Attached is a link to Dr. McManus’ Resume.

The position of Masconomet Middle School Principal was advertised in early December. The posting closed in early January and attracted 46 applications. Seven applicants were invited for interviews over the past week. The two finalists were chosen by members of the Screening Committee, which was Co-Chaired by Masconomet High School Principal Peter Delani and Asst. Superintendent Jeff Sands and included Teachers Sandra Dearborn, Allison Procopio, and Peter Wilson; Parents Marshall Hook, and Terry Telleen; Department Heads Jeanne O’Hearn, and Marie Bridges; and Human Resources Administrator Keri Reddington. I would like to thank all of the members of the Screening Committee for giving their time and thoughtful input to this process. After the candidates’ visits, our interview process will conclude with site visits by a team from Masconomet to each candidate’s current school. I expect to make an offer to enter into contract negotiations with the preferred candidate by the middle of February and announce our new Masconomet Middle School Principal after February Vacation Week.

Sincerely,

Mike Harvey

Superintendent