BRISTOL — The search is under way for a new principal at Bristol Elementary School, and Addison Northeast Supervisory Union Assistant Superintendent Catrina DiNapoli, who is spearheading the search, said nearly 20 applicants have applied for the position.
Current BES Principal Sandy Jump notified Interim Superintendent Armando Vilaseca in March that she would be retiring effective on July 1.
“We very much appreciate the work that Sandy’s done,” said BES Board Chair Elin Melchior. “She came to the school during some difficult times, and we very much appreciate the work that she’s done over the past three years. We wish her the best in her retirement.”
The search for the new principal began shortly before the BES board accepted Jump’s resignation at its April 11 meeting. At that meeting, DiNapoli outlined the timeline for the search, which school officials described as “aggressive due to the time of year.”
In an email to the Independent, DiNapoli reported that she had formed a committee made up of a board member, community members, faculty and staff and had issued a community survey asking for feedback on criteria important in choosing a new principal.
The position had been posted for three weeks on the national education website SchoolSpring and just closed on Tuesday.
Melchior expects that DiNapoli and her committee will be able to hold to a timeline posted on the ANeSU Facebook page and meet twice over the next two weeks before holding full-day interviews on May 5.
According to DiNapoli, Interim Superintendent Vilaseca and incoming Superintendent Patrick Reen will “collaborate on a final recommendation to the board.”
When hired, Jump was the third administrator in 10 years after the retirement in 2004 of long-time BES principal Terrance Evarts. Jump began at BES in the summer of 2013 as interim principal, when DiNapoli, then the principal, took a one-year post as the ANeSU director of curriculum and professional development. Jump was then hired as principal in March 2014.
Jump has worked in education over three decades and began as a high school teacher. Before becoming principal at BES, Jump served as principal at Charlotte, Milton and East Corinth after coming to Vermont from Maine.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as principal of Bristol Elementary School for the past three years,” said Jump. “We have accomplished much in promoting a safe and engaging learning environment for our students and staff.  I wish everyone the best in their future successes.” Reporter Gaen Murphree is reached at [email protected].