Woods
Dr. Eileen Driscoll Woods will continue next year as interim principal at the Ottoson Middle School following a failed search in the spring for enough finalists for the permanent position.
Woods, who is serving as a second time as interim principal “will provide strong leadership continuity for the school,” Superintendent Kathleen Bodie wrote in announcing the decision to parents June 30. A reopened search for a principal will begin in the fall.
The position opened up in July 2016, about a month after voters supported ballot questions, including one that deals with an overlarge middle school, and Timothy R. Ruggere, Ottoson’s principal since 2009, said he was leaving. He is principal of Triton Regional High School in Byfield, near New Hampshire.
Asked for details about the search, Bodie wrote July 3 that Dr. Laura L. Chesson, when she assistant superintendent here, chaired the committee and interviewed nine candidates among the 40 to 50 who applied.
The position was posted in January, and the search was closed in May, when the administration did not have three finalist candidates to move forward in the process.
That would have involved a day at the school to visit classes and interview with teachers, staff, administrators and parents/community members, Bodie added, Thus, the decision was made to repost the position in the fall.
Woods came to Arlington after having retired from a distinguished career in Andover, where she was principal at both the South and Sanborn schools, and spent a year as assistant superintendent. This past year she served as the interim principal at the Driscoll School (K-8) in Brookline.
Before her tenure at Ottoson, Woods served as the interim head of the Dallin Elementary School from 2012 to 2014.
While heading the Sanborn School in Andover, she prepared the proposal that led to the school’s Blue Ribbon School designation in 1991. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is part of an effort by the U.S. Department of Education to identify and share knowledge about exceptional school leadership and teaching practices.
In 1998, Woods was named Massachusetts Principal of the Year, an award presented annually by the Massachusetts Elementary Schools Principals Association. The award recognizes those principals who have demonstrated clear leadership in developing successful programs for children and teachers, exceptional dedication to education, outstanding professionalism and an unselfish attitude toward helping others.
Woods received her Ed.D. at Nova Southeastern University and holds a master of education in school administration from the University of Massachusetts. Her undergraduate degree is from Boston College. She also holds a National Board Certification in mentoring principals.
July 1, 2016: Ottoson interim principal named, served at Dallin
July 5, 2016: Principal leaves expanding Ottoson to lead more rural high school
This news story was published Wednesday, July 5, 2017.
