Elizabeth Freedman ​Named Barnstable High's Next Principal

BARNSTABLE, MA — School officials hired Elizabeth Freedman as the next principal of Barnstable High School.

Freedman spent the last 12 years as the principal of Greater Lawrence Technical School in Andover. She will start her new role in Barnstable on July 1, Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown said in a letter to families.

"During the search process, Ms. Freedman had the opportunity to meet with a variety of BHS
stakeholders who were invited to provide feedback via an anonymous survey," Mayo-Brown said. "Survey respondents described Ms. Freedman as genuine and dynamic with a collaborative vision of leadership, a student centered perspective, and an appreciation of diversity. Individuals also felt she would bring an important perspective, philosophy, and knowledge base to the BHS school community."

Before Freedman served in her previous principal role, she was the dean of students and leader of the special education therapeutic program at Peabody High School. She began her education career as a school adjustment counselor and got both her undergraduate and master's degrees at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

The other finalist for Barnstable High School principal was Karen Polsonetti-Simic. Polsonetti-Simic is in her 11th year as the founding principal of the Manhatten Business Academy in New York City.

The principal position became vacant when Patrick Clark resigned in December 2020 after being suspended at the beginning of the school year. Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown put Clark on paid administrative leave Sept. 25, a few days before students returned to in-person classes for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. She never publicly gave a reason for Clark's suspension.

Following Clark's resignation, school officials created a 16-person interview committee, consisting of parents, students, staff and administrators. The committee narrowed down the field to two finalists: Polsonetti-Simic and Freedman. Both finalists participated virtual community meetings and had site visits at Barnstable High School before their final interviews.