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Monroe Elementary Principal Mark Bailey
has been named principal at New Richmond
High School.
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Bailey, who has been principal at Monroe for the past 12 years, replaces NRHS Principal Ms. Diana Spinnati who has requested medical leave for the 2012-13 school year.
"Ms. Spinnati has requested a medical leave,” said Bird. “Our prayers continue for her as she fights her battle against cancer."
Prior to becoming principal at Monroe, Bailey was a teacher and instrumental music director at New Richmond High School for 12 years. Under his leadership, Monroe Elementary went from passing only two of 12 state achievement tests to passing all 12 for the past four years and becoming the district’s top performing elementary.
"Mark is an established educational leader in our district and has a tremendous resume after leading Monroe Elementary from a rating of Continuous Improvement to Excellent," said Bird, who has started a search for a replacement for Bailey at Monroe.
Bailey said he is looking forward to the new challenge but sees little difference between dealing with elementary age students and high school students.
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NRHS Principal Diana Spinnati went on
medical leave for the 2012-13 school
year after leading the 2012 NRHS
graduation ceremony Friday, May 25.
(Jim Robinson photo)
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“They are different challenges but one thing I’ve learned with students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, is kids are just kids,” said Bailey. “They are just at different maturity levels.”
The new job gives Bailey an opportunity to fulfill a goal he set when he began his teaching career at New Richmond.
“When I was doing the high school band I wanted to make a difference on a larger scale,” said Bailey. “I had the opportunity to go from 100 students to 500 students when I went to Monroe and this is another opportunity to grow that personal goal of making as big of a positive impact as I can for my hometown.”
Bailey had high praise for Ms. Spinnati and the Excellent rating New Richmond High School achieved under her guidance.
“I’m a person that believes not everyone is replaceable and I think people bring unique skills to situations that can’t be replaced,” said Bailey. “Obviously Ms. Spinnati set a standard for excellence that I hope I will be able to continue.
“You can’t replace people. You can fill positions and it’s my hope to go in and establish myself there as an instructional leader in a very positive, team oriented fashion with my staff and to continue to grow New Richmond High School so it can reach its full potential.”
