Four candidates for WHS principal advance to 2nd round of interviews

The School Department is moving four candidates for the high school principal position to a second round of interviews as it seeks to replace outgoing WHS principal-in-residence John Barnes.

Officials shared the news with the school community late last week. 

The announcement came just two days after the School Committee received a progress report on the search for a new WHS principal.

The School Department’s human resources director, Kate Peretz, told board members at their Wednesday meeting that the Waltham High School Principal Interview Committee had interviewed seven candidates on April 13 and 14. The interview committee had selected those seven from the 19 who had applied for the job.

Peretz said the seven candidates met the search committee’s criteria, which included having proper licensure, experience with public schools in Massachusetts, and experience with large, diverse populations like the one at WHS. She also said that experience with low-performing schools was part of their criteria.

The Waltham High School Principal Interview Committee includes Peretz, Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa and Assistant Superintendent Shannon Conley. Two WHS teachers, a parent of a WHS student, two WHS students and three administrators round out the committee.

Peretz said each candidate performed well during the interview, noting that the search committee gave special attention to the candidates’ responses to the question, “Why Waltham and why now?”

She added that details on the candidates and their forthcoming visits to the high school, which are part of the selection process, will soon be released to the community.

Barnes, who started as Waltham High’s principal-in-residence in July 2025, submitted his resignation in March. He leaves at the end of the school year. No reason was given for his departure. He will be the fourth principal to leave WHS since 2020.