NORWICH – Norwich Middle School Principal Lisa Schuchman will assume a new role next year, one which will involve oversight of the district’s entire middle and high school campus.
“Mrs. Schuchman brings energy, enthusiasm and a great wealth of knowledge and familiarity with Norwich students and staff,” Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan said yesterday, as he announced that Schuchman had been selected to assume principal position at Norwich High School.
The position has been filled on an interim basis by Dr. Bob Cleveland for the last two years. After an unsuccessful search for a permanent building administrator last year, the district renewed their efforts this past December. According to O’Sullivan, Schuchman was one of three candidates to be considered for the position. A fourth withdrew from the process shortly before interviews were conducted.
“I am very thankful to all of those who helped in the selection process,” the superintendent said, explaining that approximately 50 students, administrators, faculty, staff and community members volunteered their time to be a part of the process.
Schuchman’s selection for the high school spot opens the door for the district to combine the administrative functions of both schools, something O’Sullivan said he has been considering for 2-3 years. Since the completion of the building project, he explained, it has become commonplace for the two buildings to share staff and facilities and as a result he said he feels it would be more efficient to look at the structure as one large campus.
While the district’s board of education approved the change to the administrative structure, which will reduce the number of administrators between the two buildings from 4 to 3, they have not yet approved Schuchman’s appointment to the newly-created Secondary Principal position.
According to O’Sullivan, the matter will be brought forward at the board’s next meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28 in the district board room.
At that time, the board will also approve Schuchman’s new salary, which the superintendent said has yet to be finalized. Her current salary as Middle School Principal is $92,003. Cleveland earns $90,000 per his current contract, which will expire on June 30.
The superintendent’s recommendation has already received support from Board President Bob Patterson.
“Mrs. Schuchman’s experience and knowledge has proven her leadership skills here in Norwich on a number of issues,” Patterson said, citing her accomplishments in her current role including her role in getting the school off the School In Need of Improvement list, the progress she has made with the building’s LINKS plan and with scheduling.
“Her direct involvement with students and parents is impressive and directly impacts our culture and climate in the building supporting a positive school experience,” the board president added.
Schuchman, who was awarded tenure in September of 2008, has served in her current position for five years. She said she is excited to take on the challenge of the new role.
Her goal, she explained, is to make the two buildings with their combined enrollment of approximately 1,100 students, into one “student-oriented campus.”
“We’ve made such growth here at the Middle School,” she said. “I hope we can make growth at the High School, too.”
Schuchman said she is looking forward to working with the high school’s faculty and staff, some of whom have already reached out to her in a “warm and welcoming” way.
Working between two buildings will be nothing new for her, she said, explaining that she did the same in her role as elementary school principal at Sidney before coming to Norwich. But especially considering the number of students and staff at Norwich, she said she fully expects there to be kinks to work out.
“There will always be trials and tribulations. We’ll just have to overcome them,” she said.