MANCHESTER, NH — An elementary school principal on administrative leave since school started will not be back, according to a memo circulated Friday by School Superintendent Bolgan Vargas.
Sarah Lynch will not be returning to Webster Elementary School as principal, wrote Vargas in a letter circulated to school staff Friday.
A school board member contacted Saturday said they could not comment on the action.
Lynch has not been at Webster since school began in September. School officials have not publicly discussed the reason why Lynch did not return this year.
She was hired in July of 2016 by former school superintendent Debra Livingston, coming to Manchester from Lawrence, Mass., where she served as an administrative mentor for schools.
In addition to serving that district as a curriculum coach and classroom teacher, Lynch also served as a principal for a school for students with emotional and social disabilities.
Elinor Murphy will continue as Webster’s interim principal, a role she also filled prior to Lynch’s hiring.
The content of the letter from Vargas is below.
November 2, 2018
Dear Webster Elementary School Staff:
This is to inform you that Sarah Lynch, will not be returning to Webster Elementary School. Ms. Murphy will continue to be the substitute Principal until a permanent Principal is hired.
The District will begin recruiting for a permanent Principal immediately and will post the position both internally and externally. The District will screen all qualified applicants, and a committee will be formed to recommend three finalists. Assistant Superintendent Gillis will lead the interview team. The committee will be comprised of members from the Webster School community, including parents and district staff. The committee will be asked to recommend three finalists from the candidate pool, and the Superintendent will advance the recommendations to the BOSC for approval. We will work hard to have a new Principal in place at Webster Elementary as soon as possible.
We appreciate the hard work you do every day to make sure our students academic, social-emotional, and physical needs are being met, as well as your continued understanding during this transitional period.
I invite you to join me for a voluntary meeting at Webster School on Monday, November 5, 2018 at 3:15 p.m. to review the search and hiring process for a new Principal. In addition, any staff with questions or concerns
should reach out to Assistant Superintendent, Amy Allen at 603-624-6300 x 136.However, because of state law we are not permitted to discuss any issue regarding personnel matters.
Bolgan Vargas
