Nearly a week after Vincent Randazzo was named the seventh principal in the history of AHS, students and faculty members are still reacting as he begins to establish his goals for next year. Randazzo has served as Assistant Principal since 2005, after he was hired as an English teacher in 1999.
During his first speech as principal, Randazzo outlined some of these goals. He wanted staff to know that in they future they would work together to strive for greatness for the school. “AHS is the flagship school of Cluster III,” Randazzo said. “I’m looking forward to our journey of making it the flagship school of FCPS.” Randazzo went on to thank the staff for their constant dedication to their jobs and to the school. “The magic that happens at AHS comes from your passion and hard work.”
His other goals are focused on keeping AHS on the path Principal John Ponton has set the school on. First, he wants to maximize success in academic programs and continue to aid the students. Second, he wants to create a better relationship with the AHS community, including businesses and organizations.
“I’m not so much planning to change [AHS], but planning to enhance,” Randazzo said. For example, he wants to incorporate more technology in classes for both teachers and students. Also, Randazzo wants to establish himself as the principal and stay a strong figure, so that students understand he is the new principal.After the decision was announced at a staff meeting on May 12 by Assistant Superintendent of Cluster III Schools Dan Parris, the faculty lined up to congratulate Randazzo and his wife Mary K, who he thanked in his first speech. The scene included group hugs and screams of excitement. Many teachers were pleased that a former teacher had been chosen, so that he could relate to the faculty more. “I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s a great choice for the AHS community,” counselor Stephanie Reyes said.
The announcement also came as a relief to many who felt nervous about the multitude of changes coming to AHS next year. In addition to Ponton’s retirement, Director of Student Services Steve Stengsack and Director of Activities Angelo Hilios are set to retire. There is also the on-going overcrowding debate, which will result in either redistricting or a reconfiguration of the grades offered at AHS. Randazzo is familiar with the school and the many changes that are going to occur. “[He] will help provide a steady rudder through potentially stormy seas,” PTSA President Emily Slough said. “I think that Mr. Randazzo will be an excellent leader. I looked forward to working with him closely.”
Many teachers had similar reactions to the news that someone within the AHS family had been selected. “I think he’ll run things very similar to Mr. Ponton. There’s no fear of big change,” English teacher Melissa Philips said.
Randazzo does in fact want to keep AHS “steady” during this time of change. He wants to make sure that he chooses the right people to replace Sengstack and Hilios, by taking time to research all the candidates and “doing homework.”
Others present at the meeting included School Board members Sandy Evans and Tessie Wilson, as well as other members of the PTSA. Opening remarks were made by Ponton, who then waved to the staff before leaving, to symbolize that his time as Principal is coming to an end. Parris talked to the faculty members about the criteria he was looking at while making his final decision. “I’m excited to see a new chapter for a school that I care a lot about,” Parris said.
The process of hiring Ponton’s replacement began in March. Parris received a lot of feedback from the faculty and the community in public interest meetings. He then posted an advertisement, which was available to people outside of FCPS as well. There were more than 20 applicants. Finally, a committee of eight people, including teachers, parents and one student, were selected to interview the candidates. “I was very impressed by [their] integrity and the professionalism,” Parris said. The committee made their formal selection, and with that Parris hosted two rounds of interviews for the final three candidates. In total, this process took about six weeks.
After the interviews, Parris made the final decision. He wanted to make sure that he had “done his homework” and that the choice would be the right fit for AHS. The purpose of selecting the new Principal in May, despite the fact Ponton is not retiring until July 1, was to have Randazzo shadow Ponton for the last month of school. “I wanted the new Principal to overlap,” Parris said.
The 2011-2012 will bring many changes and Randazzo will be at the forefront of it all. He is excited to start his new position and lead AHS into the future. “The insight that Mr. Ponton has given me, the responsibility I have had, it feels like a smooth transition,” Randazzo said.
