Boston Tec/Voc School Headmaster Quits After Scheduling, Certification Issues
BOSTON (CBS) - The Madison Park Technical/Vocational High School headmaster has resigned in the wake of major scheduling issues at the school and officials discovering she was not certified.
Dr. Diane Ross Gary resigned on Friday, days after students and parents complained students had not received complete schedules days into the school year, Boston Public Schools Interim Superintendent John McDonough said in a statement.
Boston Public Schools, in a statement, also acknowledged Gary had never completed the certification process to become a headmaster, according to a BPS statement. Gary had submitted her initial application in August 2013 but never filed required additional paperwork.
"We should have followed up much sooner to confirm she had completed the process. It's what we do for our teachers and we certainly should have done it in this case as well. We are taking steps right now to make sure that does not happen in the future," a BPS spokesman said in a statement.
Gary herself issued a letter to the school community.
"Late Friday afternoon, I met with Superintendent McDonough to discuss my own future at Madison Park. He and I agreed that it is time for me to move on. I believe this is in the school's best interest. This change is effective immediately. I am confident that this is the right decision to make, and the timing is right for me and my family," Gary wrote.
Al Holland will take over as headmaster for the "next few days," according to McDonough. Holland is a former Boston schools headmaster who had been working at Madison Park.
The school district plans to appoint a permanent headmaster soon after meeting with the community, McDonough said.
The school later created a working schedule for students, according to McDonough.
The superintendent attempted to assure students on the school's future.
"I recognize that this is yet another transition for a school that has already experienced plenty of distractions. You deserve stability, but you have not had it. You have my promise we will not give up until we have made things right. Madison Park is a place we all believe in," McDonough said in a statement.
MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON
