Following the resignation of Hull High School Principal Nicole Nosek and Assistant Principal Dan Mastrogiacomo, both effective at the end of June, Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn updated the School Committee about the search process this week.
Nosek has accepted the position of assistant principal of Hingham High School, and Mastrogiacomo will step into the role of assistant principal at Oliver Ames High School in Easton.
Kuehn is working with Nosek and Mastrogiacomo on a transition plan to ensure a successful HHS opening in the fall.
“We posted the principal position on April 14, sent a survey to staff, and will be meeting with HHS students on May 5,” Kuehn reported. “We’d like to fill the position as soon as possible, and hopefully the new principal will participate in the assistant principal decision.”
It’s possible that an interim principal may be named in the meantime.
“We’ll miss [Nicole and Dan], but we have to look at this in a positive manner and as an opportunity to refresh, and to keep the district moving forward,” she said.
School Committee Chair David Twombly noted that there are many open positions in various school districts “due to the pandemic.” At the same time, he said, “Change can sometimes be a good thing – new ideas, new blood, new energy.”
Twombly went on to suggest that both positions be posted “to speed up the process.” In response, Kuehn said that the assistant principal opening would be posted April 27.
Twombly expressed appreciation for Nosek’s and Mastrogiacomo’s service. “They have both done a fantastic job,” he said.
Kuehn noted that both administrators are “beloved” by the HHS staff.
“We have a strong staff, and we will get them strong leadership and move forward and take care of our students,” she said.
Monday’s meeting also was Jennifer Fleming’s last School Committee meeting since she is not running for re-election after serving for six years.
“You’ve been a great committee member – always prepared. We’ve had some difficult decisions to make in the last few years,” Twombly said.
Member Ernest Minelli expressed appreciation for Fleming’s involvement in contract negotiations and also for her role in other capacities, including serving on the Best Educational Use of School Facilities ad hoc committee. “Thank you for being a team [player] and thinking big picture,” he said.
Fellow committee members Stephanie Peters and Kyle Conley also wished Fleming well.
Kuehn acknowledged Fleming’s ability to work in difficult situations and for “always being there to make decisions in the best interests of our students.”
Fleming said while she was “sad” to be attending her last School Committee meeting, she will continue to support the schools as a community member.
“We’ve gone through a lot together,” she said. “We have such a great team here in the Hull Public Schools.”
Fleming was presented with an arrangement of flowers in appreciation of her service.
At the end of the meeting, the committee met in executive session to discuss the pending lawsuit by former Superintendent Michael Devine, who claims he was wrongfully terminated from his position in 2020 after an administrative review alleged that he had inappropriate communications with a former student. The committee also discussed negotiation strategy with respect to collective bargaining contracts for paraprofessionals, custodians, and non-union personnel.
