An opening for a full-time U-High administrative position, a dean of student success, was published online for applications on Feb. 5. The administration said that this fourth administrator role is being restored rather than created, but the opening has nonetheless prompted a range of reactions from faculty and others.
“The return of a fourth administrative team member has been under consideration for some time since a resignation left our division with three in 2020,” U-High Principal Martin Woods wrote in an email sent to U-High faculty on Feb. 5 and obtained by the Midway, titled “Expanding Leadership to Support Our Students.”
The role focuses on tracking student academic progress, coordinating support plans for those in need, and identifying broader school-wide trends to improve programming, as well as working closely with the learning and counseling team to proactively address challenges.
The posted salary range is $83,160 to $115,500 per year.
Mr. Woods emphasized Lab’s “Theory of Action,” and suggested that the position’s restoration will be a positive addition to its overall learning environment as well as the general experience of students.
“This new role presents an opportunity to bring greater clarity to our Theory of Action,” Mr. Woods wrote, “reinforcing our strong commitment to academic excellence while ensuring that students thrive in an environment that nurtures their intellectual, social, emotional, and identity development.”
The hiring process will be partly influenced by a committee, which will include faculty and other members, that will review candidates, though the final decision will be made largely by Mr. Woods and Director of Schools Tori Jueds.
U-High faculty chair Matt Martino, who will play a role in the selection process, noted that the committee is still taking shape.
“While I am not sure who other than three or so faculty members will be on the committee, all of those people who are on the hiring committee will have input into the decision,” Dr. Martino, a science teacher, said.
Dr. Martino said the position has been met with a range of reactions from both students and faculty.
“My take is that overall faculty opinion on the new dean role is mixed,” Dr. Martino said. “Student support seems like a good and valuable thing that we should care about and think about at all times, and that opinion has been expressed. The need for another administrator — a number of faculty members do not think that that case has been made.”
As the administration moves forward with the hiring process, Mr. Woods has framed the role as an investment in student well-being and academic success.
“By adding this role, we are deepening our investment in student well-being, creating more touchpoints for academic and personal growth, and ensuring that every student has the guidance and support they need to thrive.”
