The assistant superintendent position has been vacant for over a year, but starting officially in July 2016, Dr. Eveslage will change that. The news of his appointment as assistant superintendent came to LMSD families via email from Superintendent Copeland December 21.

The role of assistant superintendent varies by school district and is determined by the superintendent. Mr. Copeland outlined Dr. Eveslage’s job as overseeing curriculum development from kindergarten to senior year throughout Lower Merion School District, as well as addressing achievement gaps. This will tie into the District’s strategic plan of establishing transformative curricula and redefining success.

Dr. Eveslage will begin as assistant superintendent in an acting capacity on January 1. On July 1, 2016, he will fully assume his new duties. In the meantime, the Harriton community should expect to see the principal continuing his normal routine for the 2015-16 school year.

“Mr. Copeland has made it clear that he wants me to prioritize my responsibilities at Harriton,” Dr. Eveslage said. “And I want to underscore my commitment to the staff and the students here, to make sure that we finish this school year in a really great way.”

Mark Klein, the current acting assistant superintendent, and Bryan Cote, interim director of secondary education, have been filling the role of assistant superintendent, and both will proceed to do so through June. Mr. Klein will advise Dr. Eveslage as he goes through this time of transition, allowing him to keep much of his Harriton activities the same.

“I’ll be here. I’ll have some additional responsibilities, some evening responsibilities, and we’re doing some work and consultation with the superintendent. But I have a priority to maintain my responsibilities at Harriton,” Dr. Eveslage said. “I’m going to be at graduation, and I’ll be here every day. I’ll still be at Lunch and Learn!”  

In the remainder of this school year, Dr. Eveslage will continue to evaluate teachers, work with department chairs, and take part in the usual discussions with the assistant principals about planning for next year.

He will also be involved in the selection of the next principal. Although he admitted this would feel strange, he said, “I have a vested interest in bringing someone that is right for Harriton – for our students, for our community. I want Harriton to continue on a really positive path [after I leave].”  

Superintendent Copeland’s email announced that the District will start interviewing candidates for principal in 2016, with opportunities for community input.

For now, though, Dr. Eveslage is still here at what he believes to be “a very exciting time for the district,” and while he looks forward to working closely with the ten building principals and supporting the Strategic Plan, he appreciates the time he has left at Harriton.

His favorite part of being a principal has been working with students, he says, and this senior class is particularly special to him: The class of 2016 has spent seven years with Dr. Eveslage, traveling from Welsh Valley to Harriton at the same time as he did.

As assistant superintendent, he hopes to stay connected with students as much as possible. He plans to solicit student perspectives in his new job, though it will be different from the daily relationships that principals, teachers, and coaches have with students.

Well known for his cheerful greetings to students in the main lobby and hallways, Dr. Eveslage noted, “The great thing about a high five is that both people feel good about it. It sounds cheesy, but when people exchange smiles, it’s really genuine.”

The Banner is proud to announce Dr. Eveslage’s new position for next year, looking forward to many more high fives, cheesy or not, for the remainder of the 2015-16 school year.