Three finalists for the Concord High School principal position met with community members at a forum Tuesday as the district looks to fill the role that will be vacated by Michael Reardon, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
The three finalists – CHS assistant principal Tim Herbert, Wilton-Lyndeborough principal Sarah Edmunds and Campbell High School assistant principal Michael Perez – took turns speaking about themselves and responding to questions from a group of about 20 audience members in the school library. Parents, employees and community members asked about their management style, how they would handle incidents of racist or homophobic bullying and other discipline issues. They were asked how they prioritize school safety and their opinions about competency-based education.
“I said to a few people tonight, ‘this is the most important position in the district,’” Superintendent Kathleen Murphy said Tuesday. “I believe that with a high school being a culminating time of a student’s educational career for the city, it’s really important that you have strong leadership. People look to that leadership.”
A search committee, comprised of the superintendent, teachers, administrators, students and a school board member, conducted a first round of interviews earlier this month. Now, the committee will select a final nominee to bring before the Concord School Board for approval in December.
Tim Herbert has been an assistant principal at Concord High School since 2019. He started his career in 2007 as a special education team leader and teacher at Pembroke Academy, then became assistant principal at the school from 2012 to 2019. At Concord High, Herbert is an advisor for the Racial Equity Club, a hockey coach and was previously the bass fishing coach. He has served on the Board of Trustees for the University System of New Hampshire and on the executive board of PACE Career Academy Charter School.
He graduated from Plymouth State University with a bachelors in social science education, then obtained a master’s degree in special education from the University of Phoenix, and another in principal and special education administration from Rivier University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study degree in educational leadership from Plymouth State. He has a doctorate in restorative justice education from Plymouth State.
At the event, Herbert spoke at length about his extensive research on restorative justice methods of discipline as an alternative to exclusionary discipline practices, like suspensions and expulsions, and as a method for resolving conflicts, which Concord High is in the process of implementing.
“I really do feel I understand Concord High School. I do really feel I understand the strengths of our staff, the admin team, et cetera,” Herbert said. “The work that we’re doing here at Concord High School, we’re still in the beginning phases in some areas, we made some great gains over the last couple of years. If I am the principal moving forward, I continue this work of our MTSS systems of support for students, our restorative practices work and our understanding of universal design in the classroom.”
Sarah Edmunds has been the principal at Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative Middle High School in Wilton since 2021, after being assistant principal at the school for three years. Edmunds began her career in 2005 as a paraeducator, before becoming an English and language arts teacher at Winnisquam High School and Andover Elementary/Middle. Edmunds has directed theater programs in Tilton and Andover. She completed the Granite State Leadership Academy in 2020 and was a committee member of New England Association of Schools and Colleges Collaborative.
Edmunds graduated from Plymouth State University with a bachelor’s in theater arts, then obtained a master’s in education at Plymouth State with a focus on English grades 5-12. She has a doctorate in educational leadership from New England College.
As the principal of a small school, Edmunds said she is used to wearing many hats and taking on many responsibilities. She said at the much larger Concord High she would be able to delegate more tasks and expand her communications to a wider audience, but would still remain involved and accessible, going out into the community to connect with parents, especially those who experience a language barrier.
“As a principal, I am involved,” Edmunds said. “I get nothing but joy from the students in my schools, whether I was teaching or I was an administrator. I am a fierce advocate for children, regardless of the size of the district.”
Michael Perez has been an assistant principal at Campbell High School in Litchfield since 2013. He started his career as a paraeducator at Merrimack High School, before becoming a social studies teacher at Pinkerton Academy and worked in special education in Nashua, later becoming dean of students at Dover High School. Perez coached lacrosse and basketball for seven years, and was a head coach at Hesser College. He completed the Granite State Leadership Academy in 2020 and served on the state Department of Education’s Code of Ethics Committee.
Perez graduated from Notre Dame College in Manchester with a bachelor’s in history, and obtained a master’s in education principal certification from New England College. He plans to start his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study degree in educational leadership at New England College in 2023.
At the forum, he discussed his approach to discipline – making sure there are consequences while also connecting students with resources to address the root cause of their behavior. He also walked through a scenario of how he would help a student in the aftermath of an incident of bullying, and discussed his experience helping students launch a diversity and equity program in Litchfield.
“I would love and embrace bringing more diversity topics, inclusion topics, things like that, to the forefront because like it or not it’s part of our world right now, and it’s part of these kids’ lives,” Perez said.