Category: School

The Vermont Principals’Association Executive Council, the governing body of the Vermont Principals’ Association, proudly announces the hiring of its new Executive Director, Jay Nichols, from Enosburg Falls, VT. Nichols currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools of the Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union, a 1,658 student supervisory union in Richford, Vermont, which serves seven schools in the northernmost part of Vermont. He will replace, on July 1, 2017, the current VPA Executive Director Ken Page, a long-time central Vermont educator who is retiring after eight years at VPA and 36 years as a teacher and principal. Before becoming a superintendent of schools in 2009, Nichols was a principal for 14 years in South Burlington, Bakersfield, Isle LaMotte and Alburg. He currently teaches principal and school leadership classes for St. Michael’s College and the Champlain Valley Educator Development Center.

He calls himself an “unabashed supporter of the principalship,” although he readily admits, “School leadership has never been an easy assignment, and in the last couple of decades, the responsibility and importance of the principal has grown exponentially.” He says that he wants to make sure that “…The Vermont Principals’ Association is equally as influential as the other statewide organizations shaping education policy, law and regulations in our state. “

Nichols will assume the post at a time when VPA is on solid footing, with a highly-engaged 15 member executive council, two excellent standing committees- the Professional Learning and Support Committee and the Activity Standards Committee, which oversee all student activities as guided by Associate Executive Director Bob Johnson, and a committed membership who seek support, guidance and information from this highly-involved, member-driven organization.

In addition to providing leadership development for school leaders throughout Vermont, VPA is most known for its work as the student activities association for Vermont. It sponsors all statewide sport championships for high schools, as well as a host of student activities and recognition programs.

Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) is a nearly 500 member, non-profit 501c3 corporation, which is an association of public and independent schools, and school principals, assistant principals and athletic directors in Vermont. The VPA was created in 1915 as the Vermont Headmasters’ Club to provide uniformity and fairness to secondary school athletics. Since its formation, the name has changed twice, first to the Vermont Headmasters’ Association and more recently to the Vermont Principals’ Association. Jay Nichols is excited about directing this organization, “I’m thrilled with the opportunity to serve as the next Executive Director of the VPA. Quality school leadership is key to public education in Vermont and, indeed, our nation. The VPA has served leaders and learners well in our state for over a century and we will continue to build on that proud legacy.”