Here's Lynch's letter:
As Superintendent of the Walpole Public Schools, it is my honor to announce to the students, staff, parents and community the two finalists for the position of Walpole High School Principal (listed alphabetically):

Mr. Scott Holcomb
Scott currently serves as the Assistant Principal at Seekonk High School. Prior positions include: AP Chemistry, AP Biology, Anatomy, and Zoology teacher; and Adjunct Professor, Roger Williams University. Highest degree earned: Certificate of Advanced Educational Specialization from Boston College.

Mr. Stephen Imbusch
Stephen currently serves as the Assistant Principal of Walpole High School. Prior positions include: Technology Education, Drafting and Wood teacher. Highest degree earned: Master of Education degree from Rhode Island College.

Complete resumes will be available at the Open Forums.

February 23, 2010: A series of Open Forums has been planned to allow an additional opportunity to meet the finalists and provide feedback to the Superintendent of Schools.

Format for all sessions: 30 minutes total length – 20 minute presentation by Finalists on their educational philosophy and leadership style followed by a 10 minute open Q & A discussion.

Participation is voluntary.

2:30 Student Council - Holcomb - H.S. Media Conference Room

All Staff - Imbusch – H.S. Media Center main area

3:00 Student Council - Imbusch - H.S. Media Conference Room

All Staff - Holcomb - H.S. Media Center main area

3:45 Leadership Council - Imbusch - H.S. Media Conference Room

Department Heads - Holcomb H.S. Media Center main area

4:15 Leadership Council - Holcomb - H.S. Media Conference Room

Department Heads - Imbusch - H.S. Media Center

6:30 School Committee - Holcomb - H.S. Media Center main area

7:00 All Parents/SC - Holcomb - H.S. Media Center main area

7:30 All Parents/SC - Imbusch - H.S. Media Center main area

8:00 School Committee - Imbusch - H.S. Media Center main area

Participants may fill out a questionnaire with the following feedback regarding the finalists: 1. Overall impression
2. Strengths
3. Weakness
4. Addition comments

History:
•Focus group meetings were conducted to determine a Leadership Profile
•The Chairman of Screening Committee, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent reviewed qualifications and reduced applicant pool from 21 to 8
•The Screening Committee (20 members) then interviewed 8 candidates and narrowed the field to 4 semi-finalists
•The Screening Committee forwarded 4 semi-finalists to Superintendent
•Superintendent conducted extensive interview and reference checks
•Superintendent narrowed the field to 2 finalists

Sincerely,
Lincoln D. Lynch
Superintendent of Schools

One weekend only.
Feb 25 @ 7 pm
Feb 26 @ 7 pm
Feb 27 @ 2pm & 7 pm
Feb 28 @ 2pm

Ticket Prices:
$12 Premium Seating
$11 General Admission
$8 Seniors & kids under 12
Call the WCT Box Office 508-668-9722

http://www.walpolechildrenstheatre.com/

Faced with yet another year in which revenues will not keep pace with costs, the administrator said it's time for serious discussions with neighboring communities about a regional approach for some services.

In presenting his townwide budget plan for the coming fiscal year Monday, Feb. 1, Boynton said the schools are "facing a whole host of challenges," notably cutbacks in state and federal counts. In addition, the schools are looking at $1.5 million in higher costs under collective bargaining agreements, he said.

Speaking from the floor at the Town Hall session, Chairman John Desmond responded that the school committee cut $500,000 last week from the superintendent's proposed FY 10-11 budget and is talking with the unions about reducing the remaining gap.

The $500,000 cut, Desmond said, will eliminate eight positions, notably middle school teachers. There'll be 28 pupils in a first grade class, he added.

Overall, Boynton proposes a $67 million budget for FY 2011, which will begin July 1 -- a $2.5 million (4 percent) increase. Half of the increase goes for "non-discretionary" spending, including debt and state assessments. Of the other $1.3 million, $855,000 would go to the schools in keeping with their traditional two-thirds share. Boynton proposes $30.9 million for schools, the school committee's tentative budget calls for $32.5 million.

Boynton's budget plan pares capital spending to $500,000 and eliminates two positions -- a library professional slot and a part-time DPW post.

He repeated his call for more control over health insurance costs and gave new emphasis to the potential for regional approaches.

"... if we are looking for true long-term cost savings, the time has arrived for Walpole to engage in meaningful regional services discussions with our neighbors.

"While it is unlikely that regionalization will materialize in the next one to three months, the opportunities are indeed there to see changes within the next one to three years. Not every operation or department is a candidate here. However, some may present great options for Walpole.

"Health services, animal control, engineering, dispatching, and yes even library services should be explored as soon as possible to identify the pros and cons of joining with one or more neighboring communities. In the past, turf battles and control issues have derailed regional efforts in Massachusetts. Those parochial days truly need to fade away if communities are to survive and thrive in the face of continuously declining revenues," Boynton said.

-- Tom Glynn

The town administrator's page on the town web site offers links to the text of Boynton's FY 2011 budget message and summaries of the proposed spending plan. (pdf files)