BRISTOL — The Bristol Elementary School board on Monday chose the school’s interim principal to be the permanent head.
Sandy Jump, a longtime educator who has served at the school since last summer, will continue as principal at BES.
In a unanimous vote, the board selected Jump over the other finalist, Roy Getchell, who visited the school last week. Jump has served as principal in Milton, Charlotte and East Corinth; while Getchell has worked at a secondary school in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for the past five years.
Addison Northwest Supervisory Union Superintendent David Adams recommended Jump to the board, and two-thirds of the school’s faculty signed a letter in support of Jump that was published in the Independent.
“I recommended Sandy for hire as the candidate best suited to meet the needs of the district,” Adams said.
From a field of 26 applicants, a search advisory committee interviewed five people and selected Jump and Getchell as finalists.
Jump will be paid a salary of $82,950.
Adams said she hit the ground running after she was tapped to be the interim principal last year.
“Arriving at the school in July 2013, she immediately assumed the leadership of the school by reaching out to parents, faculty and staff,” Adams said. “She immersed herself in the culture of the school and supported the efforts of the established leadership team.”
Adams praised Jump, who has been an educator for more than three decades, for taking a special interest in the music and art programs at Bristol Elementary.
Jump did not respond to a request for comment by press time. In an interview last week she said she was proud of helping to develop Bristol Elementary’s three-year action plan, called the Green Mountain Star Plan. The plan addresses school climate, leadership, curriculum and professional development.
“I think the school has made huge inroads in regards to climate and culture,” Jump said.
Teacher Sarah Scrodin welcomed Jump’s selection, and said the school held a celebration assembly for their “new” principal.
“Out staff is ready to move forward with an administrator who is ready to walk beside us,” Scrodin said. “Sandy Jump leads with kids, staff and community at the forefront.”