Two finalists vie for Peabody middle school principal post

PEABODY - The search for a new principal at Higgins Middle School has been narrowed down to two finalists, Ruth Miller, an assistant vice principal at Ralph B. O'Maley Middle School in Gloucester and Todd Bucey, a Housemaster at the Higgins.

Superintendent Milton Burnett will interview Miller and Bucey on June 15 at the school library from 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Teachers, staff, parents and members of the community are welcome to attend.

Bucey has worked as part of the middle school leadership team for the past seven years and has been an educator in Peabody for 14 years.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and History from Boston College; a Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from Framingham State College and has taken courses in Educational Leadership leading to licensure as principal/assistant principal at University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Bucey has held his position as housemaster at the Higgins since 2002 and was previously employed as a technology professional/development specialist from 2001-2002 at the Higgins, as well as a teacher with professional status at the school from 1995-2001.

"I would relish the opportunity to continue to utilize my leadership experience in the role of principal of Higgins Middle School as we continue our pursuit of academic excellence," he said in a letter to Burnett.

Miller has 18 years of experience in public and private education and holds a Business Administration degree from Boston University, a Master's in Education from New Hampshire College, a C.A.G.S., in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of New Hampshire and is in the process of obtaining a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Miller has been employed by the Gloucester School district since 2007 and previously worked as an assistant principal and literacy instructor for the Milton Elementary School from 2006-2007; as a consultant for the Inspiration Education Consultants in Hampton, N.H. from 2005-2007; a principal for Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, N.H. from 2002-2006 and an assistant headmaster and curriculum director for Pembroke Academy from 1999-2002.

"As an accomplished educator, I believe I have the vision, knowledge and wisdom needed to establish and maintain excellent educational programs," Miller wrote in a letter to Louise Genualdo, assistant to the superintendent for Human Resources. "I am a motivated leader with the creativity and energy necessary to facilitate cooperative and meaningful change. Above all else, I am totally committed to providing the best possible educational opportunities for children."

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