Schools

UPDATED: Lasa Tapped to Lead LHS

Lexington High School's Associate Principal, Laura Lasa, has been named the next principal at LHS.

It's official: 's Associate Principal, Laura Lasa, will take over as prinicpal after .

The announcement was met with surprise when an email from Superintendent of Schools Paul Ash made the rounds Tuesday afternoon and applause when he introduced Lasa at the School Committee's meeting last night.

Applause, according to Ash, was also the response when he announced Lasa as the school's next principal at a faculty meeting earlier in the day.

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"You know the high school faculty would not do that unless they meant it," the superintendent said. "That to me was just further confirmation."

Lasa said Tuesday that she was honored to accept the job and excited to continue the good work being done at LHS. But she sidestepped the spotlight, saying the focus now should be on honoring the end of her predecessor's tenure as LHS principal, and not the beginning of hers.

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Ash's appointment of Lasa as the next principal at LHS comes just one week after Cohen announced her intentions to retire June 30.

In his email to school employees and community members, as well as in his remarks before the School Committee, Ash explained his descision to eschew his "normal process" of selecting a principal through a search process by saying he firmly believes Lasa is the best person for the job. 

Speaking publicly Tuesday night, Ash touted Lasa's familiarity with and commitment to Lexington High, as well as her "deep knowledge of what outstanding educaiton looks like," intelligence, work ethic and writing ability.

"If you have the opportunity to hire somebody who is deeply committed to the town and school and what matters, it's extremely important to have that," Ash said. "It's not sufficient, and there are other attributes that are necessary, but it's important."

Several School Committee members and other school officials said Tuesday night that the email they received earlier in the day was the first notice they received of Ash's appointment of Lasa as the next LHS prinicpal, but no one -- from the School Committee or its audience -- publicly quesitoned the move.

Mary Ann Stewart, chairwoman of the School Committee, congratulated Lasa on her new gig. 

"You'll do terrific," Stewart said. "And we're excited you said yes."

 

Posted at 5:17 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Looks like already has its next principal.

A week after the current LHS principal, , Superintendent of Schools Paul Ash has announced the appointment of Laura Lasa as the next principal of the school, according to an email from the superintendent that began making the rounds Tuesday afternoon.

Lasa, who came up through the Lexington Public Schools as a student and professional, currently serves as Associate Principal at LHS, according to Ash's email announcement.

"While it is not my normal practice to hire a principal without a search process, I am confident Ms. Lasa is the very best leader for Lexington High School," Ash wrote in the email. "During my seven years as Lexington's Superintendent, I have been consistently impressed with Ms. Lasa's intellect, knowledge of educational practice, high standards, thoughtful decision-making, and passion for the success of all students." 

A call to Ash's office went to voicemail Tuesday afternoon.

Reached by email and Twitter, School Committee Chairwoman Mary Ann Stewart said a "big announcement" will be made at tonight's School Committee meeting.


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