Tracy 'Excited and Humbled' as Hamilton-Wenham Finalist
Wilmington High School principal Eric Tracy said that while he's excited to be one of two candidates for the Hamilton-Wenham principal job, it's still early in the process.
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Eric Tracy’s work at Wilmington High School hasn’t gone unnoticed. Just ask the committee searching for the next principal of Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School.
Hamilton-Wenham Superintendent Michael Harvey announced Friday afternoon that Tracy and Bedford High School assistant principal Kristen Vogel are the final two candidates vying for the school’s principal position.
“I am excited and humbled to be selected as a finalist for the Hamilton-Wenham principal’s position,” Tracy told Patch. “During the nine years I have worked at Wilmington High School, I have had the benefit of a strong staff and student body who have willingly engaged in consistent positive change.”
During his tenure to date Tracy has proven to be an active presence in and out of school hours. He has found ways to incorporate technology into classrooms, regularly using Twitter to keep parents and students updated on what’s happening at the school.
Tracy's educational career began as a Technology Education/Science Teacher. He has a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Cambridge College and a Bachelor’s of Science from Fitchburg State College in Industrial Science and Education.
Next in the interview process for Tracy is a visit to Hamilton-Wenham on Monday, Jan. 28, when he will spend a day at the school meeting with faculty, staff and other district employees before meeting with the public that evening.
“The selection process is still in its early stages,” said Tracy. “I look forward to meeting the Hamilton-Wenham staff, students and community as the process continues."
Cynthia Costa
8:56 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
If this guy gets the job, can we pick from the WHS gene pool for the next principal? I'd like to see someone stick around for a longer time...
Bob Dole
11:56 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Why would you want to limit yourself to someone from WHS? There are MANY highly qualified candidates out there that have actual experience as a principal. I think the town of Wilmington deserves a candidate that has a minimum of a doctorate in education and has been a principal of a high school for at least 5+ years. Wilmington has the potential to be a district that other districts look to for direction. I thank Mr. Tracy for starting us on the right path, now we need someone to take it to the next level.
Kevin MacDonald
1:34 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Bob, your perspective is a respectable one. Keep in mind however that in Wilmington it is never about the best or most qualified when choosing leadership here in cronyville.
Susan Rufo
9:25 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Must be nice to be able to take a day off work to interview for a new position. Most of us have to find a way around that.
Tom Ledoux
10:26 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Four years ago my family was considering which high school education system would be best fit for our daughter. After our initial meeting with Mr. Tracy where he laid out the vision and direction of education in the Town of Wilmington, we knew this was the place we wanted her to be. We have not regretted that decision.
Despite the criticism of a very, very small minority in Wilmington, I think I speak for the majority of parents who know Mr. Tracy that our educational system will be poorer without his leadership. I do wish him well as he takes on new challenges in his career but secretly hope he’ll stay on here in Wilmington as our new high school comes on-line. In either case, thank you Mr. Tracy for your hard work and leadership over these past nine years!
WHS Alumni
10:48 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
It saddens me to hear negative comments regarding Mr. Tracy. As a WHS alumni, I remember Mr Tracy being an amazing and unique principal. He greeted students at the front door in the morning and made everyone feel safe at school. He cared about everyone, which included Honor students, TAP students and every other student in between. Mr Tracy was the best thing that ever happened to Wilmington High School. It will be a huge loss for the Wilmington community, but I wish him well with his future endeavors.
Pat
12:25 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
As a Secretary for the WHS PAC Mr Tracy was the best thing that ever happened to Wilmington! He lives and breaths for the students of Wilmington HS. I am sorry to hear that he is moving on. I tell everyone of the fabulous school system in Wilmington to anyone who is looking to move in this direction. My Daughters high school experience and wonderful success in HS and beyond was all due to the encouragement and teachers being held accountable for their methods of teaching or lack of teaching by Mr. Tracy. He was my daughters mentor and our family will be forever thankful to Mr Tracy for his dedication to the children of Wilmington! Good luck Mr Tracy, we will miss you.
Vincent Lazzeri
3:51 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Let's not jump the gun. He's a finalist. He hasn't left yet.
Chuck Otis
4:34 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Mr. Tracy has done a great job at WHS.
Let's respect the fact that he has a good reason to want to go to H-W.
Jack Max
10:20 am on Sunday, January 13, 2013
He probably has about 25-40 thousand reasons to go!
ThatsAFactJack
10:39 am on Sunday, January 13, 2013
People are entitled to their own career path. As long as he honors his contract that is all that he is responsible for. 9 years is a long time and things change. I am sure he has made major contributions. What I don't see is why he decided to seek another job. Not that it is the public's business, but there is always a reason. I wouldn't assume he or the town did something wrong. A conflict of interest can happen though sometimes from what I hear.
Richard Jertz
3:37 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I vote Kevin MacDonald to replace Mr Tracy if he leaves. He knows what is best for the town and the children of Wilmington. I just hope that he is not banned from school grounds by then.
Maya
3:47 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Well Richard "aka KEVIN" if you think a single parent is going to allow you within 100 ft of their child you are delusional!
Whs soccer
4:26 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
If Kevin McDonald becomes principle not only will the state stop giving WHS funding for educational and construction projects but teachers and students will be leaving left and right. If Kevin becomes principal I'll be going to the tech or private school. Kevin doesn't know what's best for town he knows what's the best way to get attention.