Schools

Chad Mazza Named New Principal of Winter Hill Community School

Mazza comes to Somerville from the Holyoke public school system.

Editor's note: The following was provided by Somerville Public Schools:

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CHAD MAZZA NAMED PRINCIPAL AT THE

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Seasoned School Principal Takes Senior Leadership Position at Winter Hill

Somerville, MA – Somerville Public Schools Superintendent, Tony Pierantozzi, announces that Chad Mazza will take the Principal position at the Winter Hill Community School.  Mr. Mazza, who will be relocating to the Boston area, brings seven years of K-8 leadership experience to his new post and will join the Somerville Public Schools leadership team after serving as Principal for six years in the Holyoke Public Schools.  He is currently completing his first year as the Principal of the Lt. Elm J. McMahon Elementary School. He holds a Master of Education degree from the American International College, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from North Adams State College.

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“Mr. Mazza is a vibrant, seasoned and dynamic leader with experience working with diverse student populations in urban public education,” commented Superintendent Pierantozzi.  “We are excited to have him bring those leadership skills to the Winter Hill Community School.  His experience working with Special Needs and English Language Learner students are a great fit for Winter Hill.  His approach to innovative and data-driven practices to achieve results align well with the Winter Hill’s current goals and interest in becoming an Innovation School.”

Mr. Mazza is completing his first year as Principal of the McMahon School, a Holyoke K-8 urban school with a student enrollment of 400.  He was the Principal of Holyoke’s Dr. Marcella R. Kelly School from 2006 to 2011.  The Kelly School is a K-8 school with an enrollment of 575 students. Under Mr. Mazza’s leadership, the Kelly School improved its academic rating from “Underachievement” status to “Making Adequate Yearly Progress.”  Implementation of a rigorous literacy program led to the school earning a Category I Reading First School designation by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

“I am extremely impressed with the level of interest, dedication and involvement of stakeholders at all levels in Somerville,” stated Mr. Mazza.  “From students and parents to teachers, members of the School Committee and the community at large, it is easy to see that Somerville is passionate about its children and invested in education.  I am excited to begin working with the Winter Hill Learning Community and Somerville Public Schools.”

Prior to joining the Holyoke Public Schools system, Mr. Mazza served one year as Principal of the Brayton Elementary School (K-5) in North Adams, Massachusetts. Brayton had the district’s largest ELL student population, and was the only school in the district with a pre-K classroom for at-risk children, a LINCS parent Center, and an early childhood autistic classroom.  The school also housed the district ELL Center.  Along with an Elementary 1-6 Massachusetts License, Mr. Mazza also holds professional state Principal/Assistant Principal preK-6, 5-8 and 9-12 Certifications as well as a Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent, All Levels Certification.

“With the appointment of Chad Mazza, the Winter Hill Community School has snared one of the strongest and most promising educators in Massachusetts,” stated School Committee Chairman, Paul Bockelman.  “Mr. Mazza brings broad leadership experience in all areas of elementary education including special education and English language learner education.  Mr. Mazza will be an innovative and energetic leader, and a true catalyst for the Innovation School initiatives being developed by the Winter Hill community.”  

The Somerville Public Schools follows a standard and inclusive recruitment and hiring process for senior school administrators to ensure broad community input.  The process begins with focus group meetings with parents/guardians, faculty members, and members of the school’s community, that provide input in the development of a candidate profile.  A separate and representative Screening Committee and an Interview Panel are established for each position to determine the pool of applicants who best match the School and District’s needs.  A slate of final candidates is forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools, who makes the final hiring decision based on the Interview Panel’s recommendations and a comprehensive personal interview process.


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