This is in contrast to the other aspects of the headmaster search process, including the forums that occurred last night, which Lupini referred to as “staged” due to the formal question and answer process. He added that these forums allow a greater number of people to hear the finalists speak and that it is a good test to see how the finalists react in front of large groups of people.

Junior Ian Chin, a student member of one of the interview committees, expressed his enthusiasm about taking part in what he considers a very important process. Chin said that being on the committee allowed him to learn more about the inner workings of the school.

Due to a confidentiality agreement, Chin could not reveal his own thoughts on either of the finalist candidates, though he strongly encouraged students and teachers who have not directly been part of the headmaster search to get involved.

“Jamie and Deborah are both extremely nice and amazing people. The students should make an effort to reach out to the candidates as much as they are making an effort to reach out to us,” said Chin.

During the parent forum, each finalist gave a brief introduction, which was followed by a stream of questions submitted by members of the audience. Chisum and Holman each reflected on their top three priorities if chosen as headmaster, and each portrayed a unique personality and background.

Chisum, a graduate from Brandeis University and UMass Amherst and a father of three young children, reminisced on the stark contrast between Brookline High School and his high school graduating class of 163 students in Hinsdale, Massachusetts in the Berkshires.

Chisum’s decision to apply for this position began after the then Superintendent of the Wellesley Public Schools, Bella Wong, tapped him on the shoulder during final exams on the last days of school. Wong asked Chisum if he would enter the following school year as the Wellesley Middle School Interim Principal. “I leapt,” said Chisum.

Not only did Chisum learn a lot from this experience, he rediscovered that he truly missed high school students.

“I just kept missing those connections. When the high schoolers would come over and visit me in the middle school, people would say to me, ‘you light up when the high schoolers come in.’ And I know it’s true,” said Chisum.

Chisum describes his top three priorities as addressing the already apparent crowding in the building, being present to hear from teachers, parents and students, and, most importantly, taking the time to listen to and find the priorities that are most important to people in the community. Throughout the forum, he stressed his vision of maintaining approachability and availability. He believes the main role of a headmaster is to be the principal teacher and said he feels strongly that he has to be out there and has to see the teachers and school in action.

Chisum ended with a quote by Harry Truman, stating, “The way to raise your kids is to find out what they want to do and push them to do it.” He explained that he hopes to encourage students to look for their field and their passion and added that his first purpose is to make good citizens that hold a commitment to community and who are citizens of the world.

Chisum visited Elon Fischer’s E-block public speaking class on Wednesday. Senior Hannah Segal, a member of the class, was impressed by Chisum’s brief visit. She said that Chisum addressed their concerns and said positive things about the headphone policy, cafeteria lines and imminent overpopulation.

“I think it’s kind of nice to have someone young. His past experience makes him easy to relate to and he is qualified. He was really open and seemed like a good guy,” said Segal. “I didn’t get to meet Holman, but as far as what I saw, [Chisum] would add a lot to our school.”

Holman began by describing her terrific day at BHS. She playfully joked about a student who looked at her and said, “But you’re from Newton North!” To this she added that Newton North High School has long looked east to Brookline when having to make difficult decisions and when planning new programs. She expressed her excitement about the possibility of assuming a leadership position at BHS.

Holman described her top three priorities as excellence, equity and learning communities. Excellence, she believes, encompasses the exposure of all students to excellence in academics. She also believes that every student should be challenged, held to high expectations, and supported. Along with professional development, Holman believes there is a strong value to adult learning communities that result in improved student achievement and teacher empowerment.

A traveler of the world, teaching in places such as Malaysia and Thailand, Holman brings her experiences as a social studies teacher and an assistant headmaster. With an entry plan that includes her pledge to “listen, listen, listen,” Holman hopes to take actions to respond to the collective vision of the community.

Holman’s vision includes a strong emphasis on closing the achievement gap through four defined steps of gathering data, analyzing data, improving instructional supports and addressing the culture. When addressing a question involving technology, Holman maintained her commitment to using educational and instructional technology but avoiding all of the bells and whistles to ensure that the methods used are actually aiding the children in their learning. Like Chisum, she spoke about the need to address special education and the growing population.

Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator Gary Shiffman, a member of one of the interview committees, has know Holman for many years. He worked as a history teacher at Newton North High School from 2002 to 2006 while Holman was also a teacher herself.

“She’s awesome,” said Shiffman, describing Holman. “People feel comfortable talking to her. She’s very charismatic and very outgoing. I think she knows where we are and where we are coming from. She lives in Brookline and she knows this place.”

Shiffman heard Chisum speak at yesterday’s faculty forum and said, “He seemed enormously sensitive, like a person with really good people skills. The kind of guy that if you were agitated and you wanted to be soothed, he would be a really good guy to talk to. And I would suppose that there is a contrast to Deb. She was a great person to talk to but clearly her public performance was much more effervescent. She’s dynamic.”

Lupini plans on announcing the next steps in this process on Friday, Feb 3. If he feels at risk of losing the right candidate, he will move as quickly as needed.

“There are other principalship openings,” said Lupini. “Candidates may or may not be involved in those. I will not lose the person we want to the process. If it happens at some point that we get the feedback that says it should be person X or if I reach that conclusion and person X is involved in some other search and has an offer; then my history here is that I go out and get person X. I’ve done it before. I’ve had to circumvent the process, generally speaking that last aspect of the process, but we’ll get through these first two and then we will make a decision about what to do next. Then we will see where we are.”