Newton Superintendent Appoints Interim Principal for Countryside Elementary

After interviewing a number of candidates for the job, Newton Superintendent David Fleishman has decided to move forward with an interim principal for Countryside Elementary School. 

In a letter sent to Countryside families last week, Fleishman said he has appointed Elaine Harold to be the Countryside interim principal. Harold, who is currently the interim principal at Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School, will begin at Countryside July 1.

"Elaine is a highly competent and experienced principal who brings a track record of leadership that is characterized by collaboration, consistency and fairness," Fleishman said in the letter. "She works extremely well with all stakeholders including families, faculty, staff, and students."

Current Countryside Principal Emily Ostrower announced in January that she plans to retire at the end of this school year. 

According to Fleishman's letter, the school's Selection Advisory Committee interviewed a number of candidates for the principal position and "had thoughtful and lengthy discussions about the candidates and what the Countryside community is seeking in a new leader." However, at the end of the process, Fleishman and the committee determined that they had not found the right match for the school. 

Harold was appointed as interim principal for Lincoln-Eliot in May 2012, replacing then Interim Principal Greg Hurray. Prior to her time in Newton, Harold spent 17 years at Fiske Elementary School in Wellesley.

Marcia Uretsky was recently hired as the new principal of Lincoln-Eliot Elementary.

According to school officials, Harold's appointment as Countryside interim principal is still pending approval from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.