Schools
Retired Newton Principal Tapped for Waltham Interim Position
A former Newton principal is heading to an interim post in Waltham.
Waltham Public Schools have announced David Castelline as the new interim principal of the James Fitzgerald Elementary School.
Castelline, who served as principal at the Underwood School in Newton for 19 years, will begin his position immediately after signing his contract, according to Waltham Public Schools Superintendent Susan Nicholson.
Castelline replaces former principal Robert LaRoche, who left his job for a post in the Watertown schools.
Nicholson said she she had received verbal approval from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to hire Castelline under a "critical shortage" waiver since he is retired form the Newton Public Schools. Under state law, school districts can hire retired educators who are receiving retirement benefits but only after conducting a search for non-retired candidates.
Castelline retired from the Newton Public Schools in 2011, according to his application letter. Since 2004, he has worked with the Educator Leadership Initiative in Waltham, including as its director.
A committee of teacher of parents of staff chose Castelline after interviewing a pool of candidates, according to Nicholson.
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