Richardson Principal To Take Job in Westwood

Come Fall 2012, students at in Westwood will have a new principal at the helm - and she's coming from Easton.

Selected among three finalists by Westwood School officials last week, Donna Tobin will fill the role once held by former principal Peggy Scott effective July 1.

Her resignation as the principal will officially be announced at this Thursday's school committee meeting.

"I'm extremely excited about coming to Westwood," Tobin told Patch. "I'm looking forward to working with the administrative team, the teachers, the students and the parents."

Tobin has been the principal for Richardson for the past two years. Previously, she was an elementary teacher in Milton, according to a letter Westwood Superintendent John Antonucci wrote in a letter to parents last week. Tobin also holds an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts.

"After a thorough and inclusive search process, it was clear Donna has the experience and talent necessary to assume this important leadership position," Antonucci wrote in the letter. "We are confident she is a great fit for the Westwood community."

"Martha Jones has an excellent reputation for excellence in education," Tobin said. "As a principal, to be selected to be part of that team is just amazing. For me, it's a destination community, a place I can call home for my professional career."

She added: "I'm excited about being part of the Westwood Public Schools. There's really a sense of community, and a sense of supporting education, which is the type of district I'm looking for."

Tobin is the second principal who will need to be replaced in the coming year.

At a school committee meeting earlier this month, John Giuggio officially announced his retirement, effective at the end of this school year.

An interem reprlacement for Giuggio, who has been the school's principal for 10 years (formerly Easton Junior High School), will be announced at this Thursday's School Committee meeting.

"He’s just a respectful person when he deals with everyone," School Committee Member Caroline O'Neill said earlier this month. " I think he was the perfect middle school teacher and it will be a huge challenge to find someone like him."