PEABODY — Peabody Veterans Memorial High School has a new principal.
Brooke Randall, who has served as the assistant principal at North Andover High School since 2017, will return to the community where she got her start beginning July 1. Randall climbed the ladder at PVMHS — she was originally hired as a math teacher and eventually became the dean of students.
Dr. Josh Vadala, the superintendent of schools, said in an interview Thursday afternoon that Randall was far and away the best candidate interviewed, in part because of her connection to the school system.
“It’s a huge benefit to have someone who has relationships already built. It’s very challenging to be a high school principal or principal at any level, especially within the context of the current climate in, you know, in the nation and the state of education,” Vadala said in a telephone interview. “For her to have these relationships … She has a sense of credibility and a sense of trust with many of the teachers and the parents and the students. Having that already in place gives her the opportunity to really hit the ground running.”
At a June 14 school committee meeting, Randall said she was looking forward to getting to work.
“I am so excited to be back at PVMHS; back in the PB community. It’s a very special place near and dear to my heart which is why I felt very passionate about being back in this community,” she said. “I just thank you all for the opportunity.”
One of the biggest challenges facing Randall, Vadala said, is easing the transition into high school for middle school students whose three previous years of school have been “either interrupted or disjointed.”
“We know that there’s going to be some significant need there as they transition in,” he said. “The eight to nine transition … is always one that is concerning because you want to make sure that the kids don’t fall through the cracks. So now kids coming back or entering high school that have never really had that middle school experience. It’s that much more critical that we develop really strong relationships with them, and address that.”
Vadala said the principal position was posted in May, after former principal Steven Magno stepped down to become the district’s director of Student Services, the Item reported. Magno stepping down was part of a broader restructuring effort at the school, Vadala said, which began with the addition of Dr. Mark Higginas, the new assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services.
After interviewing “a number” of people, Vadala said the interview committee running the search selected six finalists for the position, and it became clear that Randall was the woman for the job.
“It’s the way she presents herself. She’s very personable, she’s very approachable, [she] wants to build strong relationships,” Vadala said. “That’s really important. She’s got really high expectations. And her experience in the classroom as a math teacher really lends some credibility to her ability to be an instructional leader.”
This May wasn’t the first time Randall applied to be the principal at PVMHS — she applied for the position in 2020, but was passed over. Vadala said that while he wasn’t involved in that search, he believes she is taking the helm of the school at the right time.
“I’m a big proponent of everything happens for a reason and that was right before the pandemic year, and it’s been a challenge and she’s grown as a person and as a leader in that time,” Vadala said. “She’s ready to lead and ready to be successful.”
Charlie McKenna can be reached at [email protected].