Sunapee Central Elementary School has long been the town’s educational gem, and Patrick Gordon, the outgoing principal, has made that gem shine. He has led with compassion and fairness, and has never played favorites. He has helped students during tragedies and other difficulties, assisted families facing financial struggles, and guided his young charges through interpersonal conflicts with a steady hand. He has made a difference and will be missed.

Principal Gordon’s term ends in June, and yet there has been no communication from the School Board regarding the search process for a new SCES principal, or any of the candidates being considered. This role is critical to the community, and we should have the opportunity to hear from, and weigh in on, the finalists. A secretive process that doesn’t seek out candidates from far-and-wide would favor connections over competence, overlook those with new ideas in favor rigid adherence to the old ways, and risk perpetuating policies around the outdated perception that Sunapee is a uniformly wealthy town with only two-parent-single-income households (in reality, while there are pockets of great wealth along the lake, Sunapee’s poverty rate is 16.1%, one-quarter of its students are food insecure, and most parents must work outside the home).

SCES deserves a principal who treats all students with equal dignity and respect, and does not favor those of the wealthy and well-connected. This requires a robust and transparent hiring process with community involvement.

Malia Ebel

Sunapee