Interim Devotion School Principal Chosen

Allowing little time to transpire, Superintendent Bill Lupini has found a replacement for the .

In prepared remarks presented to the Brookline School Committee Thursday, Lupini announced that Steven Silvestri has been selected to serve as the interim principal. Silvestri is currently the interim principal at in Arlington.  

“We consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Steven Silvestri and we look forward to a successful and productive year for the entire Devotion School community,” said Lupini.

Silvestri, a recipient of the Massachusetts Elementary Principal of the Year award in 1997, has had a storied educational career having served as principal in several Chelmsford schools during a 23-year period. He also taught for 11 years in Bolton at levels ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade.

In other school news:

• Lupini revealed that 537 students have been registered for the 2010-2011 kindergarten school year. He noted that “the good news is everyone is assigned” to a school. The superintendent still expects the final number of kindergarten students will rise to 575 to begin the new school year.
• The superintendent also announced that the search has begun to fill the director of professional development position that was vacated when Gene Thompson-Grove declined a reduced role. The modified .6 full-time equivalent position has also been renamed to teacher leader of professional development.
• The School Committee voted unanimously 8-0 to enter into a procurement card pilot program. The procurement cards will act like credit cards for school-related purchases and allow for greater oversight. “The idea is to take advantage of advancement in electronic banking,” said Deputy Superintendent Peter Rowe.