Gavin to Assume Role as Mineola Middle School Principal

Matthew Gavin is being sent back to the principal’s office.

The approved the current director of pupil personnel services as the new principal of the starting July 1 during the February 16 meeting at the .

“It is with great pride that I make this recommendation to the board,” Superintendent Dr. Michael Nagler said. “It’s a little unusual for us to be appointing a successor as early as we are and I think it’s important to put somebody in place if we know we have the right man for the job right under our noses and in this case I believe we do. I think some of the evidence just walked in the room.”

Current middle school principal Mark Barth will be after the board approved his request at the January 19 meeting.

The middle school principal position comes with an annual salary of $166,696. The probationary period for Gavin will be from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015.

Approximately 10 teachers crowded into the back of the board room to show support for Gavin’s appointment, even going so far as to being several homemade signs to the meeting with words and messages of congratulations.

“When was the last time you saw 10 teachers at a board meeting?” Dr. Nagler said.

“I saw 100 a couple years ago,” trustee John McGrath quipped before turning to . “How long are you going to be in this job?”

Said Gavin with a grin: “I serve at the pleasure of the board and the superintendent.”

Prior to serving in the central administration during the 2011-12 school year, Gavin was principal of the for beginning in the 2006-07 school year. Gavin also oversaw the for fifth graders at Jackson, a program which has .

“He has a fantastic work ethic,” Dr. Nagler said, citing Gavin’s accomplishments. “I have full faith that he’s going to expand that program and make it even better than our ‘Time for Kids’-worthy cover. And more importantly, he believes that every child can learn, he has a high, high standard for achievement and I think he’s going to do wonderful things there.”