Deborah Holman, one of two finalists in the search for the new headmaster, visited the school with Superintendent Bill Lupini on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. Holman is the vice principal of Newton North High School. Following a schedule created by Interim Headmaster John Ritchie, Holman met a number of students and faculty. She visited English teacher Elon Fisher’s A-block Public Speaking class.

Senior Omer Sander and his classmates discussed with Holman changes they desire for the school and aspects of the school they wish to remain unchanged. According to Sander, many students voiced strong interest in maintaining the school’s mantra of freedom and responsibility.

“She seemed very nice. She could be a potential fit,” Sander said of Holman. “She definitely has experience, and she knows what she’s talking about.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, Jamie Chisum, the other finalist in the search, will visit the school with Lupini. Chisum is currently the interim principal of Wellesley Middle School.

The faculty are invited to an informal question and answer session with both finalists tomorrow in the Black Box. Chisum will speak from 3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. and Holman will speak from 4 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.

In the evening, parents will have their opportunity to meet the candidates. Chisum will speak from 6:30 p.m. to 7:20 p.m., and Holman will have her audience from 7:30 p.m. to 8:20 p.m.

In an email to the faculty, Lupini wrote, “Angela Allen, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, will be providing feedback forms during the school visits and forums so that you can provide me with your comments and perceptions on our finalists.”

He said, “We will be deciding on any “next steps” in the finalist process, including possible visits to Newton North and Wellesley on or before Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.”

Read more about the finalists. Want to know more about the selection process?

Anna Parkurst can be contacted at [email protected].