Headmaster

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. -- Archer Harman Jr., a former headmaster at St. George's School credited with opening the exclusive, private institution to minority students, died Thursday, apparently of a heart attack. He was 81. Mr. Harman was headmaster at the boarding school in Middletown from 1961 to 1972. He was chosen from 200 candidates, according to the school. Charles Hamblet, the school's current headmaster, called him "a gentle giant" who opened St. George's to minority students just as the civil rights movement was beginning.

The New York Times is reporting that the NCAA is looking into Nerlens Noel, a top prep recruit who has committed to play at national champion Kentucky next season. The newspaper said Tuesday that two members of the NCAA enforcement staff went to Everett, Mass., this week to inquire about the 6-foot-10 Noel, who attended Everett High School for two years but is now at the Tilton School in New Hampshire. Everett High principal Louis Baldi told the newspaper (http://nyti.ms/IWMR5J)

Linda F. Nathan, founding headmaster of the Boston Arts Academy, has achieved considerable success on the frontlines of an urban education system in crisis. Her BAA is a public high school with a student body that reflects the ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of the city. Yet, unlike most of its peers, about 95 percent of the school’s graduates are accepted to college, close to double the rate of the average urban district. In “The Hardest Questions Aren’t on the Test,’’ Nathan shares her thinking about teaching and creating an environment that fosters...

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent Braintree High School's new headmaster, James Lee, will start in the position July 1 after being selected out of 46 candidates for the job. The search was begun earlier this year, and was started over again in March after the first round of the process turned up a limited number of applicants that the search group felt were right for the position. Going into things a second time, Superintendent Dr. Peter Kurzberg was a bit more hopeful, noting that it isn't unusual for the town to go through multiple interview processes for administrative...

The headmaster of Boston's long-troubled English High School told the faculty Monday that he will not be returning to the school in the fall. Sito Narcisse, 36, came from Pittsburgh in 2009 with a mandate to overhaul the Jamaica Plain school, deemed one of the city's 11 most underperforming. But scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests in English and math last year showed only a marginal improvement from the previous year, while other underperforming schools showed much better results.

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent Public School officials now hope to have a new Braintree High headmaster by May 1, after starting their search for the position from scratch this week. According to Superintendent Peter Kurzberg, there were 20 applicants, and four were interviewed for the $123,000- to $127,000-a-year salaried position, but none was a good match. Initially, officials intended to fill the job sometime in March. "The job description is pretty specific," Kurzberg said.

School officials are hoping to have a new headmaster in place at Braintree High School by May 1, after restarting their search for the position from scratch last week. According to Superintendent Peter Kurzberg, there were 20 applicants for the job. Four were interviewed for the position, which earns $123,000 to $127,000 a year, but none was a good match. Initially, officials intended to fill the job sometime this month. "The job description is pretty specific," Kurzberg said.

By Jeremy C. Fox, Town Correspondent Children from a Hyde Park charter school are preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime experience later this month, when they will perform on the stage of Boston’s Symphony Hall. The Voices of Renaissance Choir will join a slate of other performers for the Boston Pops’ Gospel Night on Saturday, June 18, where they will perform four songs, two in collaboration with the Canton-based Oladipo Sisters. The choir is made up of approximately 120 students from grades two through six at the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School,...

By Matt Byrne, Town Correspondent The Medford School Committee on Monday will meet to discuss school policy on hiring and retaining athletic coaches, after a controversial decision not to rehire Michael Petrides as boys' soccer coach, the superintendent said. Petrides was informed in April that he would not be retained by the district to coach in the fall, school officials said. Student-athletes spoke out against the decision, which was ultimately made by Paul H. Krueger , Medford High School headmaster.

Christopher Bucknam receives his award from headmaster Paul Krueger at the pre-Thanksgiving game pep rally. By Matt Byrne, Town Correspondent Medford Mustangs offensive guard Christopher Bucknam has been named the state's student-athlete of the month, said Paul Krueger, high school headmaster. The award, given by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and the New England Sports Network, honors Bucknam's leadership. It is the first time a Medford student has been recognized.

The headmaster of Boston's long-troubled English High School told the faculty Monday that he will not be returning to the school in the fall. Sito Narcisse, 36, came from Pittsburgh in 2009 with a mandate to overhaul the Jamaica Plain school, deemed one of the city's 11 most underperforming. But scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests in English and math last year showed only a marginal improvement from the previous year, while other underperforming schools showed much better results.

By Matt Byrne, Town Correspondent Medford High School Headmaster Dr. Paul H. Krueger will retire when his contract ends in July, after 14 years in charge of the school,  he told teachers and staff Monday. "Being headmaster of Medford High School has been the greatest honor of my career," Krueger wrote in a letter he delivered about 10 a.m. to Superintendent Roy Belson, a copy of which was provided by the school department.  "I will miss working with an exceptional faculty, administration and staff, I will always be appreciative of the...

School officials are hoping to have a new headmaster in place at Braintree High School by May 1, after restarting their search for the position from scratch last week. According to Superintendent Peter Kurzberg, there were 20 applicants for the job. Four were interviewed for the position, which earns $123,000 to $127,000 a year, but none was a good match. Initially, officials intended to fill the job sometime this month. "The job description is pretty specific," Kurzberg said.

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent Public School officials now hope to have a new Braintree High headmaster by May 1, after starting their search for the position from scratch this week. According to Superintendent Peter Kurzberg, there were 20 applicants, and four were interviewed for the $123,000- to $127,000-a-year salaried position, but none was a good match. Initially, officials intended to fill the job sometime in March. "The job description is pretty specific," Kurzberg said.

By Brock Parker, Town Correspondent Brookline Superintendent of Schools Bill Lupini has appointed Newton North High School's Deborah Holman as the next headmaster of Brookline High School. Holman, the vice principal at Newton North since 2008, will takeover at Brookline High School on July 1 pending the completion of her contract, which is anticipated to be done next week, according to the superintendent's office. She will succeed longtime Brookline High School Headmaster Robert Weintraub, who retired in June.

The search for a new headmaster for Brookline High School is in full swing, according to Superintendent Bill Lupini. The position is being advertised and interview teams are forming. Interviews should start the second week of next month. An interim headmaster, John Ritchie, has been overseeing the high school since longtime administrator Bob Weintraub left to take a teaching position at Columbia University last spring. The search for a new principal for Devotion School is also underway, and a finalist may be announced later this month, Lupini said.

Ward Just sets his 17th novel, a Künstlerroman, called “Rodin’s Debutante,’’ in northern Illinois, mostly between the Great Depression and the 1960s. The book traces the life of Lee Goodell, son of a conservative small-town judge, as he makes his way amid a world of secrets and hidden sins to become an artist, eventually creating a series of statues that reflect the stages of an absorbing and tumultuous life story. Just begins his tale some years before Lee’s birth, as World War I in Europe rages.

The New York Times is reporting that the NCAA is looking into Nerlens Noel, a top prep recruit who has committed to play at national champion Kentucky next season. The newspaper said Tuesday that two members of the NCAA enforcement staff went to Everett, Mass., this week to inquire about the 6-foot-10 Noel, who attended Everett High School for two years but is now at the Tilton School in New Hampshire. Everett High principal Louis Baldi told the newspaper (http://nyti.ms/IWMR5J)

Christopher Bucknam receives his award from headmaster Paul Krueger at the pre-Thanksgiving game pep rally. By Matt Byrne, Town Correspondent Medford Mustangs offensive guard Christopher Bucknam has been named the state's student-athlete of the month, said Paul Krueger, high school headmaster. The award, given by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and the New England Sports Network, honors Bucknam's leadership. It is the first time a Medford student has been recognized.

Belmont Hill over Suffield - Even better than the result, school administrators have told retiring coach Kevin Fleming that Belmont Hill will finally get a mascot, and Fleming gets to pick it. We suggest "Reggies" in honor of founding headmaster Reginald Heber Howe. Governor's Academy over New Hampton - This one has the most interest, with the best of the ISL meeting the best of the EIL. The feeling is ISL teams play better defense, and Gov's prevails. Pingree over Rye Country Day - Let's be honest, I have no clue how good Rye...