Personnel Appointments

TO: Chairperson and Members Boston School Committee

FROM: Thomas W. Payzant, Superintendent

SUBJECT: Personnel Appointments

DATE: July 15, 2003

I am pleased to announce the following personnel appointments:

1. PRINCIPALS/HEADMASTERS 1. Elementary Schools 1. Olga Frechon, Acting Principal, East Boston Early Education Center

Since 1989, Olga Frechon has worked as a bilingual literacy specialist, ESL/Reading Recovery teacher, and literacy teacher/coach in several BPS elementary schools, most recently through the Boston Plan for Excellence. She also has taught at Cambridge College and the Graduate School of Education at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Ms. Frechon also has co-directed the Bilingual/ESL Summer Writing Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston since 1995. 2. Michele O'Connell, Acting Principal, John P. Holland Elementary School

Michele O'Connell began her teaching career at the Russell Elementary School in 1972. Since 1982, she has worked at the Holland Elementary School as a SPED resource teacher and ETL.

2. High Schools 1. Esther Adames-Jimenez, Headmaster, Boston International High School

Esther Adames-Jimenez has been the principal of the East Boston Early Education Center since it opened in 1998. She has 20 years of experience in the field of education, including five years of teaching and 15 years in administration at all grade levels. 2. Robert Belle, Chief Administrative Officer, Dorchester Education Complex

For the past eight years, Robert Belle has been the Headmaster of Dorchester High School. For approximately 24 years, he has served in varied administrative roles, including district administrator, principal, assistant headmaster, and headmaster. 3. John Leonard, Headmaster, Economics and Business Academy, Dorchester Education Complex

Jack Leonard began teaching in the BPS in 1996 at the Health Careers Academy, where he later became acting coordinator. In 1999, he became assistant headmaster of Dorchester High School, and the following year, the school's chief academic officer. 4. Dionne McLaughlin, Headmaster, Academy of Public Service, Dorchester Education Complex

Since 1999, Dionne McLaughlin has served as associate/assistant principal of Lexington High School, where she has also been an instructor since 2000. Ms. McLaughlin previously worked as METCO Director for the Wellesley and Scituate Public Schools, as director of three programs at Concilio Hispano, and as a bilingual and ESL instructor.

3. Special Education School 1. Marianne Kopaczynski, Principal, Carter Developmental Center

In 1971, Marianne Kopaczynski co-created program offerings for previously unschooled, profoundly multi-handicapped students at Boston State Hospital, which later became the Carter School. Between 1985 and 2002, she served as summer school coordinator for the Carter. Ms. Kopaczynski also was instrumental in developing the school's Healing Garden Project and other efforts to promote family and community engagement, including partnerships with Boston and Northeastern universities. She achieved Lead Teacher status in 1996 and won a Golden Apple Award in 1992. 4. OTHER 1. Janie Ortega, Cluster Leader, Cluster One

Dr. Janie Ortega has been principal of the McKay K-8 School since 1998. She had previously been a teacher and assistant principal in Austin, TX and a principal in San Antonio, TX. 2. Mary-Ellen Cafferty, Director of Operations, Superintendent's Office

Mary-Ellen Cafferty began her career with the BPS 35 years ago as a Grade 5 teacher at the Mather Elementary School. She served as director of curriculum and professional development at Madison Park High School for several years before becoming Executive Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent for Management Services in 1989. For the past seven years, Ms. Cafferty has served as team leader for Operations Support Services. 3. Kenneth Still, Senior Program Director, Athletics

Ken Still began his career with the BPS in 1973, first as a history teacher and later as a guidance counselor. Beginning in 1992, he served for several years as head basketball coach at Brandeis University. In 2001, he returned to BPS, most recently as a guidance counselor at the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science.