Riley Wilson ’14
Staff Writer

Jamie Chisum, interim principal at the middle school and former assistant principal of the high school, was recently in the running for the position of new Headmaster at Brookline High School, but the search ended for the multi-faceted educator on Saturday, Feb 4.

As one of two finalists, along with former Newton North High School vice principal Deborah Holman, Chisum applied for the job out of curiosity in late October last year but admits that he was faced with difficulties throughout the process. “I was torn the whole time because of the great relationships I have had with people here,” said Chisum. “Frankly, it was painful to think about leaving…I wrought the process out but I’m very glad with the outcome.”

With seventeen years working in Wellesley Public Schools, Chiusm wasn’t ready to leave just yet. While he has been in both high school and middle school administrative positions, Chiusm said that he always envisioned himself in the high school arena. “When I saw myself as a teacher, I saw myself as a high school teacher,” said Chisum. “[But] there is more energy at the middle school than at the high school. It’s different…There is a pleasantness [at the middle school]; optimism; an exploratory nature that is fascinating.”

When asked if he would, if given the choice, want to stay at the middle school or return to the high school, Chisum said that he is staying put for now. “Right now, the priority for me is to do what’s best for the middle school,” said Chisum.

While if he was not to continue at the middle school he would automatically return to the high school, there is currently not an active search for a new middle school principal. On February 8, Deborah Holman was named new Headmaster of Brookline High School, effective on July 1, 2012.As the Brookline opportunity comes to an end, Chisum makes one thing clear for sure: “My future is in Wellesley Public Schools.”