Members of the community are invited to help search for Barrington High School’s next principal.

The school department will host a focus group session for community members on Monday, March 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. The session will be conducted via zoom — people can pre-register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z7GX5T2

The search for the next BHS principal kicked off shortly after current Principal Joe Hurley announced he would be retiring at the end of the year. Mr. Hurley has been at the high school for more than 20 years, having served previously in Taunton, Mass.

Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore has engaged the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) to assist in the search process. During a recent school committee meeting, Mr. Messore spoke about the need to hire an outside organization to help with the search. He said the role of BHS principal is a very important one in the district. 

NESDEC is a private, non-for-profit educational organization that focuses in planning and management, executive searches, professional development, legal services and other areas. It was originally established at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is now a stand-alone corporation. It is affiliated with approximately 300 school districts. 

Mr. Messore said previously that he was determined to cast a wide net in the search for the next Barrington High School principal — he said he was “looking to go global” and looking for diversity. 

Barrington High School has had only two principals in the last 41 years — Mr. Hurley, and the late John Gray.

According to a press release from the superintendent, NESDEC officials will email a zoom link to community members who register for the focus group. Seats for the virtual focus group are limited, stated the press release, and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. The registration period will end on March 12 at 6 p.m.

Any community members who would prefer to provide input through an online survey are invited to visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P5K9XV5

Questions and comments regarding the virtual focus group process may be sent to nesdec@nesdec.org

“Barrington Public Schools wants and values your opinions,” Mr. Messore wrote. “We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to participate.”