THE MALDEN ADVOCATE - Friday, March 30, 2018
AUTOTECH
Oteri opts to replace Linden School principal By Barbara Taormina amilies with students at Linden STEAM Academy were surprised to learn this week that Principal Richard Bransfield will not be back in September. “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that after 35 years in Malden, 15 as an administrator, Superintendent Oteri has decided to not renew my contract here in Malden, and as of June 30th, I will no longer be your principal,” Bransfield wrote in a letter to staff and colleagues this week. Bransfield did not offer any explanations about the decision not to renew his contract, and Oteri is not able to publicly discuss any personnel decisions. And that has left many current and former students and parents with questions about the change in Linden’s administration. For many parents who have known Bransfield throughout his career, the decision to let him go made no sense. Bransfield taught at Beebe Elementary School before becoming an assistant principal there in 2006. He has served as the principal of Linden
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since 2012. Former substitute teacher Diane Ignacio, who knows Bransfield from his days at Beebe, said the decision not to renew his contract is a loss for Malden schools. “He is wonderful,” she said. “He always worked hard for the kids.” Ignacio recalled how Bransfield was always outside with the kids at Beebe, making sure that everyone was behaving and that there was no bullying in the schoolyard. “He was strict, but he really cared,” she said. “He only did good for the school.” Ward 8 Councillor Jadeane Sica, who served as Linden’s PTO president for 11 years, said the school will not be the same without Bransfield. “In my opinion, Mr. Bransfield has gone above and beyond for the students of Malden over the past 35 years,” said Sica. “Based on my experiences with him at Linden, I saw him to be an outstanding leader and educator who was reasonable and fair. He was an exceptional listener who had a great ability to solve problems.” Like others, Sica was surprised by the decision partic-
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ularly because of Bransfield’s role in establishing Linden as the city’s first Innovation School with a focus on science, technology engineering, arts and math. “It was because of his dedication and persistence that Linden was able to become Malden’s first Innovation School which has continued to flourish,” said Sica, adding that Bransfield’s willingness to collaborate with teachers, staff, parents and students helped make Linden an amazing learning environment. “I, for one, am glad my children got to look up to him and experience his leadership during their elementary years,” said Sica. Some parents have vowed to write letters supporting Bransfield to Oteri and School Committee Chairman Mayor Gary Christenson. But others feel that Oteri made a personnel decision that he felt was in the best interest of the district. In addition to finding a new principal for Linden, the school district is also searching for candidates to serve ae
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