Schools' Administrative Team Filled Out

The Barrington School Committee filled out the systems's administrative team Wednesday evening at a special meeting.

A new director of curriculum and instruction was appointed to fill the post previously held by first-year Superintendent Michael Messore.

A Barrington native was named the new principal for the middle school to replace a long-time principal and Barrington native.

The appointments filled the final two administrative vacancies 12 days before students return to schools.

Paula Dillon, the assistant superintendent for technology, teaching and diverse populations in East Greenwich, was named the new chief of curriculum and instruction. She will start on Sept. 4.

Andrew Anderson, the principal of the Joseph McCourt Middle School in Cumberland, was named principal of the middle school. He will start on Monday, Aug. 20.

“It was a daunting challenge to replace five key administrators,” said School Committee Chairman Patrick Guida. “We are very fortunate to have found quality people who will make a good solid team.”

Messore, who was faced with filling the vacancies during his first six weeks on the job, praised the School Committee for “giving up many evenings to jointly work together” with him and the remaining administrators and teachers who made up search committees.

“I think we can go full speed ahead at this point,” said Messore.

Dillon has been an administrator for about four years. She taught social science and special education for eight years in the East Greenwich schools and seven years at Davies Vocational-Technical School before going into administration. She holds B.S and M.Ed. degrees.

Dillon said she is making the move because the position in Barrington more closely aligns with her caree interests.

Anderson has been an administrator for about three years at McCourt. He taught special education in the Barrington Middle School for eight years before moving into administration. He holds a doctoral degree in education.

“When I was at the middle school,” Anderson said, “Richard Wheeler was the assistant principal.”

Wheeler retired this year as the middle school principal.

Anderson said: “My heart has always been here.” He said he looks forward to renewing old relationships and starting new ones with staff members.