Despite over one-and-a-half years of failed efforts, the Board of Directors will maintain its search for a new principal, with Interim Principal Roslyn Landy continuing to fill the position.

According to Head of School Jonathan Cannon, the school simply has not found a qualified candidate. “We have met many wonderful educators but have not yet found a candidate who we felt has the balance of experience, knowledge and personality to take on this challenging role,” he said.

“Each year there are new candidates, and the school will look throughout the education communities until an appropriate candidate is found,” said new Board of Directors President

Nancy Hamburger, who added that this process “cannot be accelerated.” “Candidates need to have an appreciation for Jewish and General Studies education and need to be able to demonstrate leadership in a multi-denominational environment,” Cannon said.

According to Landy, the search, which is headed by Cannon in coordination with a search firm, is looking for a candidate with more experience than that even of an assistant principal.
“[The school] wants someone with experience, and an assistant principal doesn’t have the same experience as a principal,” she said. “Because we’re such a large school, we need someone who’s had that kind of experience.”

The position is now vacant for a third year, since Rabbi Reuven Greenvald left at the end of the 2000-2001 school year. This will be Landy’s third year as interim principal and dean and her second year as assistant principal.

“The most frustrating part of this job is that I am trying to do three jobs at the same time. The result is that I don’t feel any of the positions get the attention that they deserve,” said Landy.

According to Cannon, Landy will return to her role as dean when the position is filled.

“Her experience, wisdom and sensitivity have resulted in the school continuing to be a place of excellence,” he said. “Although she has indicated that she is looking forward to us hiring a principal so that she can concentrate on her role as dean, she has also expressed a willingness to help out the school as needed.”

According to Landy, despite the long-term nature of her ‘interim’ position, she is still dedicated.

“I am committed to doing the job until we find someone.”

Elsewhere in the administration, Dr. Gill Cook left her position as English Department Chair to assume the role of Assistant Dean for Academics, a job she held in the interim last year, while Dr. David Solomon has taken over as English Department Chair.

According to Cook, she became the permanent Assistant Dean for Academics because of the need for another full-time administrator.

“The administration needed a full-time academic leader to supervise department chairs and faculty, and to oversee the curriculum and the instructional strategies used throughout the Upper School,” Cook said.

“The Academic Dean is responsible for the school’s academic program, professional development for teachers, supervision and evaluation of department chairs and teachers, and overseeing curriculum development and coordination,” she said.

Cook added that she will continue at this position even after a new principal is hired, and that she will continue to teach the senior seminar English class.

Solomon, a second-year JDS teacher, is enthusiastic about his new position. “I think it’s a lot of fun and I’m going to learn an awful lot,” he said.

Solomon received an undergraduate degree from American University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Maryland. In addition to his work at JDS, Solomon is in his seventh year as a teacher in the College Park Scholars in the Arts program. He teaches English and literature courses.

“It’s great working with such talented teachers,” said Solomon of his department. “I’ve picked up a lot of tips by hearing what they’re doing.”

“New leadership will be good for the department,” said Cook.